First year pros are taking chance with first team squad
FIRST-YEAR pros Luke Redfearn and Ben Mcclean have been training regularly with the Burton Albion squad in pre-season.
They are two of four – the others are Thierry Latty-fairweather and Daniel Moore – who signed their first professional contracts with the club last month.
Ashby-born Redfearn captained the under-18s in their run to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup last season and has come through the age groups with the club.
Nottingham-born Mcclean joined the Brewers after three years with the Nottingham Forest academy.
“I’ve had those two training with us and we took them with us to Brighton,” said manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Mclean and Redfearn both played in the second half of the opening friendly against Nuneaton Borough, in which Mcclean was replaced late on by another academy player, Ben Radcliffe.
“Luke and Ben came with us and have done well,” said Hasselbaink.
“It’s about trying to improve them and integrate them, keep them learning and see if they can become a proper member of the first team squad.
“So far so good. They are good boys, listening really well and taking a lot in.”
Both will know that Ciaran Gilligan, who came through the academy ranks and made 22 appearances in his first year as a pro last season, is the proof that the pathway can work.
Gilligan has yet to feature and Hasselbaink confirmed that he is injured.
“I don’t count Ciaran as a young player any more,” said the manager.
“I’ve had him with me for six months now and he’s a full first team squad member.
“He’s somebody that we have to pull back, though, because he likes to go at everything 150% – which is not bad but because he does that his body gets overheated and he gets little injuries.
“That’s what’s happened to him now, so we need to manage him. But he’s a top professional and he will make a living in the game.”