Fringe stars can help trim City's transfer spend by taking their chance

CITY continue to search for new signings to strengthen their squad – but can still refresh their senior options by promoting a number of young players next season.

- JOE BRAY

Among the best academy players who could step up is the South Yorkshire defender who models himself on John Stones, a street footballer with a Champions League debut goal to his name, and a full international who is yet to make his club debut.

City may not be as active as they usually are in the transfer market this summer for various reasons, and with most of their players away at the Euros or Copa America, preseason will see plenty of academy faces given a chance to impress Pep Guardiola.

Most will be familiar to Guardiola, who used the academy to boost numbers last season as well as handing out three debuts. Micah Hamilton scored on debut in the Champions League at Red Star, with defensive midfielder Mahamadou Susoho also coming off the bench in Belgrade.

Jacob Wright made his debut a few weeks later in the FA Cup, while Max Alleyne has also been on the bench for the first team.

Alleyne was mightily close to making his debut that night in Serbia, but with Red Star launching a late comeback attempt, Guardiola kept him on the bench to defend the three points, later admitting his regret at not being able to make the substitution.