TOWN youngsters Cameron McGilp and Taylor Curran will have the opportunity to convince Richie Wellens that they are ready to become first team regulars this season, though the manager admits he expects to see the former play more of a part than his defensive teammate.

Curran, 18, joined Town for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal from League One outfit Southend United towards the end of January.

McGilp, 21, also signed a two-and-a-half year deal having moved from Birmingham City on transfer deadline day in January – and he made his first-team debut when coming on as a second-half substitute in Town’s 3-1 win over Notts County on the final day of the season.

Wellens expects McGilp’s involvement in the first-team squad to outweigh Curran’s impact.

However, the Town boss has advised Curran to work hard in the build-up to pre-season, stating he has every chance to become a regular on the first-team teamsheet if he turns a few heads during pre-season.

“I would say Cameron (McGilp) is more likely to be involved than Taylor (Curran) at the moment, that’s simply because of age and where he is in terms of development,” said Wellens.

“But it will depend on how they come back for pre-season. I’ve told them to do a lot of work before pre-season, because they are still young players trying to make a way into the game.

“I want them to come back ahead of everyone else, and if they play well in the first two or three friendlies then it will start to change myself, Noel Hunt and Peter Shirtliff’s mind that we can put them in the first team and trust them.”

Regarding outgoings, Wellens revealed to the Advertiser that only one loan offer had been received for an in-contract player from another club.

Wishing to keep the player’s name off-record, Wellens said he rejected the loan offer – adding that few clubs are willing to do business during the early phases of the summer transfer window.

Furthermore, the Town boss has no significant update on his quest to land the signature of Theo Robinson.

Wellens added: “It’s still very early, not many teams are doing much business.

“We have had one offer for one of our players on loan, but that offer was not acceptable. If the same offer comes in, in eight weeks’ time then we might take it.

“But we don’t need to rush, we still have to pay the players through June.

“We want to make sure if players do leave the club that we get the best possible deal.

“Nothing changes with Theo (Robinson). It’s up to Kevin Bond (Southend United manager) to evaluate his squad and see what he wants to do.

“I’ve had conversations with Theo, and I think Theo’s seven goals from 15 games speaks volumes. He’s very easy to manage and the supporters took well to him.”