Explaining that he has always been keen to blood the kids at the right time he said: “I’ve always wanted to introduce young players, especially when I think it’s right, as I showed during my time at Everton.
Declan Rice has already been in the side for a few games this season. The bigger problem for Toni Martinez is that he has competition in front of him from other centre forwards – Andre Ayew, Diafra Sakho, obviously Andy Carroll as well can do that rolr – so that’s his biggest thing.
Young Domingos Quina has been training with us and he was on the bench as well. We’re a bit short of midfield players, so the openings can come for young players due to injuries or suspensions or just not having players in those positions.”