ACADEMY manager Dan Robinson believes teenage prospect Joe Sbarra’s first team debut will be an inspiration to other young players.
He said: “Joe Sbarra getting 20 minutes against Reading was a great selling point for us as it shows what we have been saying here to the lads in the Academy – that there are opportunities to get in the first team at Burton Albion.
“Supporters want to see local players in the team and it’s our job to make that happen.
“Ben Fox made his debut against Liverpool in the EFL Cup. That was huge for him but also for everyone in the Academy.
“There is such a sense of pride when you see ‘one of our own’ who we have helped produce.
“Everyone at the Academy, including people who have moved on, have played a part in making that happen.
“We believe that we have the structure and pool of players that means a number of the lads will progress to the first team over a period of time.
“We have regular discussions with Nigel Clough about players who get the chance to train with the first team. We are all working together and that’s the great thing about this club.”