Jermaine Grandison, Ashley Cain, Adam Walker, Jordan Clarke and Shaun Jeffers have all performed well in the three pre-season games so far and a delighted City boss told the CT: "I am delighted with the young lads. "There is a lot of focus and negativity surrounding us because we haven't signed any players yet. But 80 per cent of the teams in our league haven't signed any players - apart from Forest who are signing everyone. It's quiet at the minute but that's not for the want of trying.
"But the young boys we have brought through - Jermaine Grandison, Jordan Clarke, Adam Walker, Ashley Cain and Sean Jeffers - have done well for us and I am really pleased with them.
Ashley Cain (picture copyright of Covsupport News Service)
"It is a feather in Gregor Rioch's cap because they are doing well. I am not saying they are ready to make a big impact for us this season, but they are certainly on the right road.
"We all know we need to sign players and need a bit more quality but to get five players coming through from the Academy and playing in your first team, albeit only friendlies, is a positive sign."