Sky Bet Championship outfit Derby County are a club, who over the years, have prided themselves on bringing young talent from the youth teams into the first-team fold.
This element of the club has been a particular strength over the last three or four years and ex-boss Nigel Clough did some fantastic work in getting young players off of the conveyor belt and exposing them to the first-team.
Midfielders Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes are just a couple of examples of Derby County graduates who have excelled playing in the Championship, whilst versatile performer Jamie Hanson emerged from the academy last season.
Next season will see the club embark on the Nigel Pearson era of management and no doubt the ardent Rams supporters will be hoping to see more academy prospects in and around the first-team at the iPro Stadium.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three young stars who should be utilised more next season at Derby County.
Jonathan Mitchell
The 21-year-old goalkeeper cut his Football League teeth last season with a short stint on loan at Luton Town, doing enough to show what potential he possesses.
He does also have a Rams first-team appearance to his name after playing against Hartlepool United in last season’s FA Cup, which shows what the academy staff must think of him at the East Midlands-based club.
If Lee Grant chooses to move away from Derby in search of first-team football this summer, the Rams should let Mitchell step up and be the number two goalkeeper behind Scott Carson next season.
Learning from a man of Carson’s experience will be invaluable for the youngster and would aid his development no end.
Max Lowe
The former England under-18 international has made great strides in the Derby County development squad and could be given the chance to shine next season.
A versatile left sided performer, Low is comfortable playing as a left-back or on the left-hand side of midfield, making him a valuable asset to have around the squad.
Lowe is thought of highly by the hierarchy at the club and with first-choice left-back Craig Forsyth still recovering from a serious knee problem, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Pearson give Lowe a chance to impress during pre-season.
Mason Bennett
The Derbyshire-born striker finished last season on loan at Burton Albion where he helped the Brewers to promotion into the Championship.
Despite his tender age of 19, Bennett already boasts 28 Derby County appearances and next season could be the right time to give him a real run in the first-team.
Bennett possesses all the qualities that suggest he can score goals in the Football League, and in Derby’s team he will get no end of chances to score for the Rams.
Another loan spell is a possibility but like Max Lowe, Bennett is another talented youngster who could get the chance to shine for the Rams during pre-season.
Derby County fans, do you agree with these three getting chances in the first-team? Is there another talented youngster who should get a chance? Let us know in the comments below!