Joe Ralls says Cardiff City's youngsters will have a key role to play as the Championship season nears its finale.
The Bluebirds took a significant step towards survival with a thoroughly impressive 3-1 win over Blackpool on Good Friday, with Bluebirds skipper netting the last of his side's goals during sublime first-half blitz.
It was a result that provided the perfect response to last weekend's South Wales derby defeat to Swansea City and also keeps their fledgling bid for survival on track under Sabri Lamouchi.
January arrivals Sory Kaba and Connor Wickham also found the net in the Lancashire sunshine, and their presence has given City a new dimension up front as they bid to build further momentum ahead of the season's finale.
And, as Ralls points out, the duo have also helped ease the burden of responsibility on Cardiff's bright young stars, with three academy aces - Rubin Colwill, Isaak Davies and Mark Harris - eventually leading the line from the bench.
"The two boys that have come in in January have helped," Ralls commented after the win at Bloomfield Road. "Just adding that little bit of competition, firepower, different types of personnel. Obviously bigger lads we can put the ball into the box to.
"We were heavily reliant on some of the young players during the first half of the season. Unfairly really. To have a few more numbers and have them all chipping in and doing the job.
"I said to Rubin in the dressing room it was made in Trefforest, the front three at then end. Isaak, Sparky and Rubin and then there's me trying to get forward at LWB.
"It's great, and those boys have still got a massive part to play. But a little bit of experience with Kaba and Connor has given us a massive help in the attacking sense and we've got to keep providing for them, try to put the ball in the box and let them do their thing. They showed today that what a threat they can be."
The likes of Colwill, Harris and Davies haven't had as much game time as they would have liked under Lamouchi, but Ralls insists they have focused on knuckling down to impress their boss on the training ground - and earn the chance to impress.
"I think they understand that they're still young players learning the game. We've been in this situation for much of the season and, especially second half since the manager's come in, it's been difficult.
"It's perhaps not been the right time to play young players. They're ready, they're training well and they'll be ready when needed. The manager's not scared to throw them in when the time's right. They'll be needed towards the end of the season. They're all good boys that's what I like most about them. Good lads. Training hard. Working hard. Wanting to do well for the club. Hopefully they can keep progressing."
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