No kidding, these young guns can be next big thing for the Bluebirds
CARDIFF City supporters have been starved of home-grown talent in recent years, but amid new EFL rules which are aimed to promote youth, there are a handful of young stars who will be looking to stake their claim.
The new EFL regulations don't come into play until 2018/19 but with Player Development Manager Craig Bellamy intent on honing an improved set-up, the younger players will be targeting a first team spot now more than ever. Bellamy and Neil Warnock have ripped up Cardiff 's youth structure and started again, with many Under23s leaving the club in January.
The exodus included the likes of former FAW Young Player of the Year winner Tommy O'Sullivan, who joined Colchester United. The new regulations are an attempt to shake-up clubs' stances on young players — though Warnock believes its effect will be minimal.
Speaking on Friday, he said: “I don't think it'll change anything — if they haven't got one good enough they'll put one in the squad. You've just got to concentrate on your squad and try to get one into the team."
Despite Warnock's view, he'll still hope to see more youngsters breaking into the Bluebirds' first team soon.
Youngster Mark Harris, 18, has already made his first team debut against Fulham in the FA Cup, and many of the club's top youngsters are playing above their current age-grade.
Harris' emergence proves there is a pathway to the first team for youngsters at Cardiff City.
And these are the other top contenders to break through in the coming years...
Mark Harris
The Bluebirds' faithful already know all about Mark Harris after his breakthrough into the first team, making a substitute appearance in the FA Cup third round.
The 18-year-old has made a number of appearances on Neil Warnock's bench and the Cardiff boss is a huge fan, desperate to give Harris his league debut before the season's end.
He's an exciting homegrown talent and training with the first team on a regular basis can only do him good in the long term.
Could he be the next Aaron Ramsey or Joe Ledley? He still has a lot of work to do in order to get to that level, but the early signs are good.
James Waite
He may be a midfielder, but James Waite loves weighing in on the goals for development outfit.
Early last month, Waite netted four times in a stunning 7-1 victory over Watford at the Cardiff City Stadium and that was no rarity.
Waite has an eye for goal and his technical ability often gives him the edge over opposition defenders.
He was one of the three players given a professional contract early in the year and if he continues his form, he'll be pushing for a place in Warnock's plans.
Jamie Veale
The tenacious midfielder has captained the development side on a number of occasions and it's no surprise given the way he commands the midfield.
With a knack for scoring special strikes, Veale is a talented midfielder who could potentially have a very bright future in the game.
He also bounced back from a long-term injury at the back-end of last year and seems to have regained his form.
Creative going forward and defensively astute, Veale should be pushing for a spot in the first-team squad next season.
Cameron Coxe
The Bluebirds have a talented full-back on their hands in Cameron Coxe and Welsh fans will be hoping he's the next Adam Matthews, or even Chris Gunter.
However, he's much more attacking than the two seasoned pros with a more modern edge to his full-back role.
He's another of the academy player to make the jump to development football early and has taken it in his stride.
The former Wales Under-17 international, still just 18, will probably need more experience against older players before making the jump to the first-team, but he's one to keep an eye on for Cardiff City fans.
Rhys Abbruzesse
Abbruzesse has been capped for Wales at the younger levels in the Victory Shield, as well as at under-19 level.
He has recently been given an extension on his current contract to keep him in-place for next season and it's clear why.
The 19-year-old is another modern full-back who thrives in the opposition half and, with a real technical ability to back up his athleticism, he's a player who could have a big future at the club.