MANAGER Ruben Selles admitted if Saints had a smaller squad their academy stars might have had more opportunities but hinted at involvement in the final matches.

The Spaniard has been managing a group of around 30 senior players with as many as 10 missing out on the matchday squad if all fit.

Selles was at Snows Stadium on Wednesday as the B team lifted the Premier League 2 Division Two title having beaten Leeds United on goal difference.

However, only prolific forward Dom Ballard has played any minutes in 2023 and that came in a cup defeat to Grimsby Town – after he scored versus League One Cambridge earlier in the season.

Saints are now likely to be relegated to the Championship with eight points separating them from safety with only three to play – potentially freeing up chances for the teenagers to feature.

Selles said: “If that means to give an opportunity for some of the academy boys, they need to still be on it because they've been doing a good job there and for the last few matches we will think about it.

“Of course, it is easier (when relegation is confirmed). They have the quality but we talk about it sometimes because we have a big number of players in the first team it is difficult for them to find the pathway.

“They have been doing an excellent season and won the trophy as you saw, we have been watching and interacting with them during the whole season.”

Ballard and Kami Doyle are considered closest to the first team but they are part of a group which has won back-to-back league titles in under-18s and under-21s. 

He added: “I think there are players who in different circumstances and with fewer players ahead of them, they would have already got their chance, one or two of them, to have some minutes.

“Dom has already done it in the cup for us but yes it can be the point where we can bring one or two of them into the squad for the last games.”