Academy Director Mike Dove says he's been impressed by the first two weeks of Roberto Di Matteo's reign and expects the Club's young players to be given a big chance to shine.

As manager of the Under 18 side, Mike has been working with a new group of apprentices in pre-season, as the latest crop of youngsters bid to become professional footballers.

Di Matteo has already cast his eye over a some of the group - taking 16-year-old Adam Chicksen on the first team trip to Portugal and bringing David King, 17, into first team training this week.

Mike said: "The new management team have come across as a really decent group of people and have taken a very early interest in the Academy, which is hugely encouraging for everyone involved at every age-group.

"I spoke with the Gaffer and he said that if the potential is there among certain players then they will be pushed on.

"Adam Chicksen, a new first year apprentice, travelled to Portugal for the first team training camp and took a lot from it.

"Adam's only 16 and still needs the opportunity to develop but it's a terrific experience for him so early in his apprenticeship.

"Starting this week, David King, a second year, has been training frequently with the first team as well and building on the good start he made to apprenticeship last season."

It's a youthful group of Under 18s for Mike this season, with seven of the 11 apprentices in their first of their two years.

But despite a 2-0 defeat to Coventry in their opening pre-season friendly at the weekend, Mike is still happy with the early indications.

He said: "I've been pleased with the new group so far, their attitude has been very good and they're all keen to learn.

"The Under 18s are a young group this year as we have four second-year apprentices and seven first years, compared with the reverse last season.

"It means there is still some physical development to come from them and I felt the Coventry side we lost to at the weekend were more athletic than us.

"Having said that, I felt our lads were the better footballers and if I could have the choice of one or the other I'd always take the technical footballing ability. Athleticism is something you can easily work on."

The Under 18 season begins on August 23 with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Academy Premier League.