Today sees LFE run the rule over the contenders for the League One Apprentice of the Year prize at this Sunday’s Football League Awards.
Jordan Cousins – Charlton Athletic
He can play at right-back, central defence and midfield. He signed a professional contract with the League One outfit on his 17th birthday last March and is expected to play in the youth version of Euro 2012 this summer.
In a nutshell that’s what earmarks Jordan Cousins for a great future in the game.
Yet to make his first-team debut for the Addicks, Cousins will be hoping to get a taste of League One action before the end of this term if Charlton wrap up promotion sooner rather than later as expected.
Doyle Middleton – Preston North End
Middleton became Preston North End’s youngest ever first team player when he made his debut against Stockport County in the Carling Cup in August 2010.
He went on to make his League debut at Ipswich Town late last term and has since made another four appearances in North End’s first XI.
The highly regarded youngster has also been selected for the Scotland Under-19 squad on three occasions and is another promising player to come off the Deepdale production line.
Matt Crooks – Huddersfield Town
18-year-old Matt Crooks may not have yet made his Huddersfield Town debut but he is talked about in glowing terms at the Galpharm.
The central midfielder played in every pre-season friendly for Town’s first-team and has also been on the bench for FA Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy fixtures this term.
Previous Terriers boss Lee Clark rewarded the promise shown by the youngster last November by handing him a professional contract until the summer of 2014.
And the youngster who has also taken a keen interest in coaching and supports the local deaf children’s group has all the skills required to make his mark over the next 12 months.
