The Carabao Cup is often criticised as being 'pointless' or 'not a proper trophy' and one of the main reasons for this is the fact teams play weakened sides, yet for some this can be seen as a good thing. 

Middlesborough are one of those. In the first round victory over Notts County, Tony Pulis fielded 10 academy products. Some of these included players that are household names in the first team such as Dael Fry, but others were unknown quantities from the academy.

More recently, Boro progressed past Preston in the third round of the cup, again fielding many youngsters.

The club are often famed as being one where youth can be nurtured, and Tony Pulis is buying into that idea. In 2006, Boro played a Premier League match with an entire team made up of academy products. The Carabao Cup of this year seems similar.

But, what about the league? Here, we pick THREE players from Boro's academy that could take the step up and seriously boost their promotion charge this season...

Nathan Wood-Gordon is Middlesbrough's youngest ever player. He made his debut aged 16 years and 75 days, breaking a 100 year record at the club.

The young defender played again in the win over Preston and although his development is still in the embryonic stage, his performances are already making Pulis and co take notice and he could make the step up to match day squads in the league before too long.

Lewis Wing was impressive in the Preston game - full of energy and intent and very progressive with his passing.

Wing is knocking on the door of the first team and looks ready for the step up.

Another youngster who will be on Pulis' radar is Marcus Tavernier, who trained with Gareth Southgate's England senior squad at St George's Park in the last international break, to deputise for the injured Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana.

Tavernier scored a thumping strike in Boro's win over Preston on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup, as well as scoring in the penalty shoot-out.