Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher believes the Blues youngsters are capable of going on to play at a higher level.

Gallagher guided the Trawlerboys to an 11th-placed finish in the Ryman League Premier last season with a young nucleus of players capable of going on to greater things.

The likes of Fraser Blake-Tracy, Harry Barker and Travis Cole have all shone at Crown Meadow and Gallagher admits that with the right attitude some of his youngsters could play in the National League set-up or higher. However, he hopes they can continue their development at Crown Meadow for the moment.

'All the young players that we've got in the squad could play at a higher level,' said Gallagher, who has had to work with a much reduced budget recently in comparison to previous seasons. I heard someone say the other day that you've sometimes got to have a career before your career and I think that's right.

'It's so competitive in English football now that sometimes you have to prove yourself at a lower level before you can go on.'

Lowestoft are likely to try and exploit the loan market next season as they continue building a reputation for bringing on youngsters at Football League clubs. Ben Killip, Harry Kyprianou and most recently, Nico Cotton have all thrived at the Meadow during loan spells and Gallagher admits the Blues could look to take on more loan players.

'I think this level can be such a good grounding for young players to cut their teeth.

'There's so much to be gained from playing your early years at this level and I think we've seen that with some of the young loan players we've helped to bring on here.'