The Academy go to South Shields on Wednesday afternoon (kick off 2pm) looking for their first league win of the season in the National League Under 19 Youth Alliance.

The lads, the majority of whom are in their first year of their courses, have played five league games so far, drawing two and losing three, but the performances have generally been good. They have conceded only 11 goals in their five matches, four of which were last week against Guiseley.

Head coach Alan White is satisfied with progress, and said; “We’ve held our own for long periods of every game we’ve played in this season. We have some great lads in the team, but we just don’t seem able to finish teams off when we’re in front.

“But they’ll learn. I’ve had conversations with coaches from other clubs, and they’ve told me that some of their players struggled for the first nine or ten weeks, but then suddenly after Christmas they clicked. They’ve told me not to be frustrated, because the lads slowly acclimatise as they get used to a full time football environment which they haven’t experienced before, and in a year they’re much stronger and we’ll see improvements.

“Maybe it’s down to a lack of confidence at the moment, but that will be resolved when we start to win matches. Winning breeds confidence. In the meantime, we’ll encourage them and teach them the right things as much as possible.”

Defender Tom Lycett is expected to have recovered from a wrist injury, but defender Elliott Shaw returns after suspension. Midfielder Harry Stansfield is still missing.