Charlie Gilmour and Jordi Osei-Tutu will be eager to impress in pre-season as they’re keen to establish themselves as mainstays in the u23s squad under Steve Gatting ahead of the upcoming campaign.

They were regular starters under Kwame Ampadu’s management in the u18s, but are no longer eligible to feature in that age-group and have both yet to receive a competitive call-up.

It’s almost certainly set to change next season. A number of departures are expected as players become eager to earn first-team experience. Clubs will also start asking about loan deals.

Gilmour, a talented central midfielder, has taken steps to develop the defensive side of his game since returning from a long spell out with injury.

Right-back Osei-Tutu has all the attributes of a possible senior player in future. Athletic and agile, he’s an attack-minded player just like Cohen Bramall on the opposite side, but could slot in well as a right wing-back if the u23s decide to emulate the formation change that Arsene Wenger recently made.

Tafari Moore is expected to go out on-loan once more, perhaps to an English side after his successful loan in the Netherlands last season.

Meanwhile, fellow full-back Chiori Johnson turns 20 in October and needs some first-team experience himself at some stage soon.