TOWN academy director Jeremy Newton has high hopes for the latest trio of academy prospects with a chance to graduate into the first team.

Will Randall was on the bench as Town beat Peterborough yesterday, the youngster’s first involvement with the senior side since the beginning of the season. He is still considering the professional deal he was offered by the club a couple of weeks ago.

Josh Cooke, the other of the second year scholars to be offered a contract last month is on loan at Staines Town, who were relegated from Conference South at the end of March.

The young Town striker notched his first goal for the club two weeks ago and will remain with the Swans until the end of the season.

Lee Marshall has made the most ground towards the first team, signing his pro contract back in October.

Newton spoke to BBC Wiltshire after seeing Randall go unused against Peterborough, but believes all three youngsters have attributes that could see them make an impact in the senior side.

“I was hoping Will might have got on at some stage, but obviously that wasn’t to be,” said Newton “Nevertheless it’s good to see him on the bench and being part of the squad.

“He can play wing-back either left or right, he can operate up front as well. He can play two or three positions really and gives him another opportunity with him being so versatile. He’s learnt that over the years in the academy.

“We want to try and push him as much as we can to try and get him involved with the first team.

“Josh is on loan at Staines, he scored the winner the other week, which was good. It’s important for him to go and learn his trade. Staines are a good side, a different style of football (to here).

“It’s important he goes there and has a little look and that’s part of his development that he takes that into his pre-season for the first team.

“I would say he’s an old-fashioned number nine. We don’t see a lot of them. He’s got quite a thick set body, he holds the ball up, good feet, but needs to score more goals if I’m being really harsh on him, hopefully that will come.”

For Marshall, Newton feels he would be best served by going out on loan to get experience next term if he does not manage to earn a first team spot during pre-season.

“Lee’s a gifted player and hopefully his time will come in the first team. It’s a handing-up process more than anything now from the 18s up to the first team,” he added.

“Hopefully Lee can have a good pre-season and push from the under 18s up to the first team.

“If not then I’m sure we’ll try and send him out on loan for the first part of the season, then maybe to come back for the second half of the season.”