Phil Parkinson has no immediate plans to fast-track the young guns from City’s development squad.

Highly-rated midfielder Scott Brown is eligible to be called up to the seniors after his international clearance finally came through last week.

Brown, who does not turn 17 until November, impressed fans during pre-season and clearly looks an exciting prospect.

And there are others to keep an eye on, including baby-faced right back Andy Burns and former Spurs striker Terry Dixon.

With City currently at the wrong end of the table, it would be tempting for Parkinson to look towards one of the younger, untried prospects to make an impact.

But Parkinson takes the long-term view surrounding Archie Christie’s group and does not intend to rush anyone through before they are ready for the “men’s game”.

When he took up the Valley Parade hot-seat, he bought into the strategy that had been implemented during the summer and accepts it as the right way forward.

The kid gloves will be staying on for a while yet.

Parkinson said: “We’ll have a look at Scott and he’s done well in training so far but he’s only a young lad.

“Like I’ve been saying since I came in, those young players are still developing and they need time to learn.

“I watched Terry play for Halifax at Guiseley last week and he scored one goal and made three.

“That’s what we are saying to these lads. You’re here to develop and we’re going to send you out on loan to do that.

“While you’re out there, we’ll make sure we are going to monitor you and that’s what we’ll do.

“If out of that group we get two players for the first team then that will be money well spent.”

Dixon is a case in point for the development squad. He had a big reputation when he first appeared on the scene but saw his career threatened by a serious knee injury.

Now he is looking to make up for lost time while showing that he will be strong enough to make his mark in senior football.

City are also keeping close tabs on the likes of Darren Stephenson and Luke Dean at Hinckley and Paddy Lacey at Vauxhall Motors.

Parkinson added: “All these lads are in need of playing men’s football. That’s why it is so important that they are doing that on loan.

“Playing in the academy or for the reserves doesn’t quite replicate the intensity of when there’s three points at stake and a manager on the touchline putting demands on you for a performance. That’s what we are looking at with these boys.

“Some have had to go to a standard they feel they are better than. But we’re basically not bothered about that at this stage.

“We want them to show us they’ve got the mentality and determination to be a player.”