Zola:The kids will be alright Blues boss keen to give talented youngsters an opportunity... as soon as safety is secured
GIANFRANCO Zola intends to give Birmingham City’s brightest youngsters a chance this season – but only once Championship safety has been assured.
And in-form attacker Wes McDonald, who has just enjoyed a spell of six goals in five games, heads the list of promising Under 23s who have caught the Birmingham manager’s eye.
Blues go to Rotherham tomorrow knowing a victory – against a team that has lost 14 of its last 15 games – would go a long way to achieving that aim.
Zola knows his first priority is getting the points to remove the lingering threat of relegation then – and only then – he can afford to look beyond the current situation.
“I’m looking forward [to that] because it’s important to understand the position of these players and get them for the future,” he said.
“Wes is one of the ones we are following closely. He’s just signed a new contract.
“You can see there’s always place in my team for good young players coming through.
“It’s not only him but also Corey O’Keeffe is one we are keeping an eye on and also Jack Storer.
“There are some very interesting young players below the main team that are doing well and I like this because it is very important for the club.
“Hopefully if we can get in a better position that will give the opportunity to try some of these young players in the future.”
Londoner McDonald has spent the last three years at Blues having moved up from the Fulham academy.
O’Keeffe and Storer, meanwhile, have both featured for the first team this season, the former off the bench at Newcastle in December and the latter with five appearances at the start of the season.
Josh Dacres-Cogley has also come from the ranks of the development squad to make a first team breakthrough this term – and also earn himself a new contract.
McDonald was one of several development squad players offered new deals, or had their options taken up, last month. That included keeper Connal Trueman, who has been on the firstteam bench, Under 23s captain Wes Harding, as well as Jake Weaver, defender Dominic Bernard and attackers Beryly Lubala and Kyle McFarlane.
Che Adams has been another young player making a positive impact at Blues and Zola understands the 20-year-old’s burgeoning form will not go un-noticed by other clubs.
Zola heaped praise on the youngster after he scored and turned in a man-of-the-match performance against Derby last Saturday.
Indeed the summer signing from Sheffield United has scored Blues’ last two goals.
“Che was excellent, sometimes on his own he threatened the opposition. He was a real handful and difficult to control,” Zola said.
“He scored a goal and created a lot of chances.
“I know other teams will be aware of him in the summer but he knows that we care about him and want to keep him.”