Wolves are backing their latest crop of youngsters to prove a cut above the rest at Southend.

Manager Mick McCarthy is to trim his team’s average age in the Carling Cup second round tie against Southend by giving academy 19-year-olds Danny Batth and Sam Winnall their head from the start.

Batth will line up at centre-back and Winnall up front and McCarthy has no doubts about their credentials.

Character is a big pre-requisite in any McCarthy signing.

While 6ft 3ins Batth’s obvious physical attributes stand out, Winnall has had to show extraordinary mental strength and courage to succeed.

McCarthy said: “Danny went to Colchester last season, played quite a bit of football and was successful there.

“Then when he played against Walsall in the pre-season friendly recently, he was different class, so he’s more than capable of playing in this game.

“Danny’s a proper bloke already – he’s a big, powerful young man who can cope with any league physically.

“He’s been training with us and he’s enjoyed the fact he’s had to compete against Steven Fletcher, Kevin Doyle, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh in training, so he’s had a good grounding this pre-season.

“Sam missed most of last season with an operation on his cruciate knee ligaments, but he’s come back and he’s looking really sharp.

“He’s been banging in goals in training and I’m really pleased with him. It’s great for him because he’s a lovely young fellow who’s worked really hard.

“There were times last season when he was struggling with his rehab, beating that punchbag and I think there was a bit of frustration coming out.

“So he’s done exceptionally well to get back as quick as he has.”

McCarthy is hoping the duo can follow fellow academy graduate Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who was Man of the Match on his senior debut against Swindon in the Carling Cup this time last year and is now on a year’s loan at Peterborough.

The Wolves boss said: “I hope it’s a good experience for them. We saw that last season with Nathan playing in the Carling Cup.

“With Danny and Sam, it’s their potential and form that’s got them into this game.”

The pair have been integrated into regular sessions with the senior squad for several months now by McCarthy as part of their development process.

Captain Karl Henry has had the chance to assess Batth and Winnall at close quarters.

The skipper believes the fact those and others are competing for a place in Wolves’ best squad for almost three decades proves their quality.

He said: “Since I’ve been at the club I’ve noticed it’s got harder for youngsters to come through because the team has improved and the squad has become stronger.

“So it just goes to show how well these lads have done by getting into the first team tonight.

“In fact, they are two of a crop of promising youngsters we have because there are another three or four who have done as well.”

Henry is confident none of them will let the club down.

He said: “I’m really pleased they’re getting this opportunity, not just because they’re very good players, but they’re local lads who are buzzing with excitement.

“If they do well, they are putting themselves in the frame for future games.”

As one of only two Wolverhampton-born players in the senior squad with defender Richard Stearman, Henry knows how much fans get behind homegrown youngsters and the benefits that can bring.

The midfielder said: “Supporters love to see local lads coming through the ranks and I’m really looking forward to seeing them in a competitive game because they won’t let anyone down.

“They are local lads but both down-to-earth which is great because they won’t allow any success to go to their heads.

“Both of them want to play their hearts out, and, as I have known since joining Wolves, the least the fans here expect from any player is 100 per cent effort and they will give that.”

Despite a changed line-up, Henry insists the culture McCarthy has instilled means the players could never afford to take even one training session lightly, let alone a Carling Cup tie.

He said: “Every player here – whether they have started the season or not – wants to be playing in the Premier League so for the lads playing tonight, it’s a chance to impress the gaffer for Saturday.

“One of the main things about Mick McCarthy is that you can play yourself back into the team if your attitude is good and you put in good performances in games, such as tonight, or if you perform in training.”

By Tim Nash