McClen Predicts Academy Players Future

By Matthew Jones
June 28 2003

Transfer listed Jamie McClen reveals how he feels about the Newcastle Academy players future. With so much competition in the squad, and Newcastle turning into a "buying club", just how hard will it be for the youth players to break into the side?

Midfielder Jamie McClen has insisted that Newcastle's current academy players face a near impossible task to earn a future place in the club's first team.

McClen was transfer listed after failing to earn a place in Sir Bobby Robson's expensively acquired squad.

"Newcastle is a buying club now, there's no doubt about it," said McClen. "That's good for the fans - they've got Champions League football - but it's not good for the young players hoping to make a breakthrough.

"There are a lot of good young lads at the club but things don't look that great for them. It's a very frustrating position to be in, as I know from first-hand experience.

"It has happened to me and it will happen to the others eventually. I did absolutely nothing last season and it was a very hard time for me."

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