TOWN'S fresh crop of young hopefuls have been urged to turn one of Andy King's major headaches to their advantage.

Youth coach Viv Busby believes the club's scholars will never have a better chance to bang loudly on the first team door due to the relatively small size of the senior squad.

While the pros are being put through their paces in Southport this week, Town's first year scholars are settling into their new life at the County Ground.

Names such as Chris Taylor, Aaron Salter, Kyle Lapham and James Hambidge may not ring too many bells with supporters at the moment, but Busby wants that to change sooner rather than later.

He said: "Jim Fraser and I held a meeting with the kids on day one.

"We told them to look at the relatively small first team squad and said the opportunity was crying out for one or more of them to make an impression.

"Money is relatively tight and if the gaffer isn't able to bring in the numbers he wants, the danger is that injuries will leave him short.

"If he comes to me in that situation and says 'what have you got?' I want to be able to offer him player 'x' or 'y' without hesitation.

"The challenge is there for these kids, first, second and third years.

"As I've said before, if you're good enough, you're old enough.

"I think we have some good lads starting with us this year but I don't need to remind people that the statistics show most don't make it.

"Do these kids have the determination and the self discipline to really give it everything? Only time will tell."

But Busby is determined that the 'kids' will be given every chance to succeed.

He said: "I don't want Under 17s content with that level. I want them to be pushing for places in the Under 19 side and so on."

Fellow youth coach and Town Centre of Excellence co-ordinator Jim Fraser said: "At the end of the day we work hard because we want these kids to succeed. It's why we come to work in the morning and put in the effort that we do."

As for the first year scholars, they are looking forward to the challenge on offer.

A photo call with the Evening Advertiser was their first opportunity to try out their media skills.

Swindonian Chris Taylor is an attacking midfielder with a taste for goals.

He said: "I want to break into the first team as early as I can and try and earn a regular place.

"There isn't a big first team squad here and if I work hard during the next couple of years I'd hope to get a chance."

Defensive midfielder Luke Garraed, formerly on the books of Spurs, said: "The standard here is pretty high but I would hope to be challenging for a place in the Under 19s or even the reserves."

A race night last week raised almost £3,000 for the youth set up, providing a timely boost to preparations for pre-season tours to Ireland and Torbay respectively.

On the first team front, manager Andy King was today due to meet Bolton midfielder David Norris to try to convince the player to accept a 12-month loan deal at the County Ground.