Caldwell happy to give youngsters their chance

EXETER City manager Gary Caldwell has said he is more than happy to promote youngsters from the academy and get them involved in the first team squad if they show their talent.

With nine substitutes rather than the usual seven allowed in the FA Cup, it opened up two extra spots for the Grecians when they travelled to fellow League One side Oxford United last Saturday in the second round of the competition. The clubs will also meet in the third round of the FA Youth Cup as well.

One of those Under-18s who has been involved in the first team picture lately is Mitch Beardmore (pictured.) The youngster made his City debut in the Papa John’s Trophy defeat at Forest Green Rovers - and has been on the bench for the senior team in recent weeks on merit, with Caldwell praising what he has seen from the wing-back, who can also play in midfield.

“A lot of them have impressed me,” Caldwell said of the latest crop from the academy. “He (Beardmore) has stood out for me with his quality of possession and work ethic, but he has that little bit of aggression and personality which you need to be a top player.

“I have been delighted with what I have seen from him and he has been on the bench on merit as he is doing well. Others will be in the same category where we are being impressed by what we are seeing from them in training and then for them to be finishers to help us to see out the game.”

A 4-1 defeat has ended Exeter’s involvement in this season’s FA Cup, so they only have the bread and butter of league action for the remainder of this season. However, Caldwell said he is not likely to involve players purely to make up the numbers.

He said that any player selected for the squad would have to be there on merit and would gain from being a part of the first team picture - but he is impressed with what he is seeing so far.

“I am a big believer in youth and young players so if they deserve to be on the bench they will be,” he said. “But I am not someone who will put players on the bench to make up the numbers as it sends the wrong message that they are doing better than he is.

“Any young player on the bench will be there on merit and because they deserve to be there. We will look at the squad fully, and if youngsters in the academy are on the bench, it is because they deserve it.”

The Grecians have confirmed that their Youth Cup third round match will be played on Tuesday, December 13 with a 7pm kick-off st St James Park.