NORTH’S conveyor belt of talented youngsters is ensuring that the Priaulx League champions are still in the hunt for major senior trophies this season. The club is currently decimated by injuries, but its abundance of quality youth players have softened the blow at Northfield.

North’s loyal and experienced campaigner Stuart Polson believes the current crop of kids is the best he has known since he made his Priaulx debut as a teenager nearly two decades ago.

Mick Le Prevost insists the injury crisis means that as well as calling on Youth One players he may have to even delve into Youth Two to help the club through a sticky patch.

And the former youth coach has no qualms about having to throw them in at the deep end and insists they will have no problem coping.

Rules stipulate that youngsters can play senior football once they are 16. Previously they had to be 16 at the start of the season, but now they can play immediately they reach that age.

‘I think North have had a good youth policy for some years and we are now seeing the rewards,’ said Polson, 35.

‘They all have a good head on their shoulders and they are fit and keen and, with the injuries we have, we needed them.’

‘I think as a bunch of youngsters it’s the best we have had at the club. It’s strength in depth coming through which the club has worked hard at and I think they have all deserved their starts or appearances,’ he said.

‘They are quick, young and fresh and listen to what is asked of them and we have a good team work ethic. Vocally I try and help them out and they help me out by doing a bit of running.

‘There are no egos in the squad. They seem to respect me and I respect them,’ said the former island centre back.

Youth One players Matt Loaring, Scott Bougourd, James Mullen and Miles Pengelley have already demonstrated their potential and ability with their recent first team performances and have not looked out of their depth.

Jon Loaring has also proved his worth with the recent winner against title rivals Bels and the opener in the Stranger Cup win against Sylvans.

‘Jon is a goalscoring machine through his time at North and Matt Loaring is a great asset to the club with a lot of pace and is definitely one for the future and he is a good trainer,’ said Polson.

Alex Le Prevost is in his first season out of youth football and injury victim Kyle Stone and Richard Moore have also impressed.

‘Glyn Dyer is becoming the main man as an attacking force, with Jon Veron and Dave Rihoy leaving the club,’ said Polson.

With the desperate injury situation other youngsters such as Nigel Hutton, Aaron Lamb and even promising Youth Two player Jack Domaille are knocking on the first team door.

Le Prevost saw Domaille make his Jackson debut and score against Rovers last weekend.

‘He is going to be a very good centre-half and may have to come in and do a job for me,’ he said.

‘These youngsters are very good players and I’m not worried at all about putting them in because I know they can do a job. They are quality and are good kids. I have had them as youth players and now Ross Cameron has taken over and done a good job. We are bringing them through the right way with good coaches and I have no problem with using them.

‘It’s a big bonus to have quality players like that coming through at a football club and it’s very encouraging because we are in a sticky situation at the moment,’ he said.

The injury list currently includes AJ Saunders, Simon Tostevin, Darren Martin, Jamie Tolcher, Stone and Pengelley, with Steve Ozanne and Jamie Ferbrache struggling with knocks.

Island player Ollie McKenzie will also be suspended for his red card this week.

North are currently top of the Priaulx and still in the Stranger, Jeremie and Fletchersports FA Cup and already have the Martinez Cup in the trophy cabinet.

‘If players are still injured, I will bring in the kids. I’m not scared of using them. People must stand back and look at the quality of the youth we have coming through. I watch all their games and know how good they are,’ said Le Prevost.

With the depth of young talent at North the club’s future looks bright.

Apart from elder statesman Polson, only Simon Johns and Matt Dorrian are anywhere near their 30s.