Leicester City youngsters urged to return strongly with League One chance and Cardiff blueprint | OneFootball

Leicester City’s leading prospects have been told to return strongly after the summer, with League One potentially offering them bigger roles.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, Gary Rowett indicated that dropping a division might open the door for youngsters, having been cautious during the Championship survival fight, and that approach could change if he remains in charge.

On Saturday, 19-year-old Kevon Gray became the fourth homegrown teenager to feature this season, following Jeremy Monga, Louis Page and Bade Aluko, while striker Kirsten Otchere travelled to Blackburn.

Jake Evans, Will Alves and Sammy Braybrooke are due back from loans, adding to the options for the manager next season, whether that is Rowett or someone new.

Rowett praised Gray as a big, strong centre-half who likes to head the ball and compete, and noted that five youngsters were on the pitch. He also pointed to the club’s record of producing academy talent and said he thinks more are coming through.

With Jakub Stolarczyk, Luke Thomas, Hamza Choudhury and Ben Nelson already involved, City could be built on homegrown foundations. Cardiff offered a model by finishing second in League One with seven academy graduates playing 30 or more games, including Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill and Dylan Lawlor.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk