David Artell says that Zac Williams will remain in his first-team plans if he continues to train and play well enough. The Wales Youth International recently made his senior debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s and then retained his place for the Friday night league game at Bolton Wanderers.
Williams, 17 is the first of the club’s current Under-18s to make the breakthrough at first-team level and Artell expects more of his younger team-mates to make the step up in the future.
The Alex manager told the club’s official website: “Zac is a very good player but he is 17 and he has a long way to go. Everyone associated with a first team here going in at that age has a long way to go.
“We are a club who will sometimes throw them in and see how they cope. Zac did better than cope against Bolton. He did very well and held his end up. Making your debut away at Bolton on a Friday night is not easy but I thought he handled it well.
“The only thing is, he should have scored. That would have been a bonus too.
“He is a competitive lad. There were a few challenges that showed that and he was quickly up to speed. He was dependable, consistent and confident and that is what you want from all players, never mind when they are 17.
“There are a number from that group who we expect will go on to play in the first team. They are a good group and Zac is the first one from the Under-18s to come through and appear in the team.”