Wolves boss McCarthy's plan for kids

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has revealed how he is trying to bridge the quality gap from the academy to the first team on the training field.

Premier League clubs are finding it harder than ever to produce players ready-made for the top flight, because the demands of quality are so high.

With significantly less investment funnelled into their homegrown set-up than the so-called bigger clubs they are competing against, Wolves are finding it more challenging than most.

McCarthy acknowledges the gap and is trying to integrate the youngsters to ensure they feel part of the set-up and provide valuable match practice in the countdown to matchday.

He said: "We improved our squad by however many millions and 11 players over the two windows over the last year.

"But you can't inject the same quality into the Academy lads and make them play in the Premier League.

"Hopefully by coming and training with us, they will improve."

McCarthy awarded a club record seven professional contracts to academy prospects this time last year.

The Wolves boss has already blooded one of them, powerful winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, in the first team last season in a Carling Cup tie against Swindon.

England under-19s left-back Scott Malone is expected to push on this season, especially seeing as George Friend – three years his senior – has been released.

Others beneath that intake, such as youth team captain Nathan Rooney and England under-17s left back Jamie Reckord, continue to impress.

McCarthy said: "We're trying to get them as good as they can but we were trying to get out of the Championship 12 months ago, now they're trying to get into a Premier League team which makes life harder for them.

"But it's something to aspire to anyway."