Reds youngster Paul Digby is still only a second-year scholar  in the Barnsley Academy, but the 17-year-old has impressed Manager Keith Hill enough to be in his plans for the forthcoming campaign.

“It’s hard work, obviously,” smiled Digby, speaking to Barnsley Player from the Reds’ pre-season training camp in Marbella. “It’s a different experience for me - first time going out abroad in pre-season.

“I’ve learnt now I can’t go out in the sun during the day!

“We’ve been out on the pitch for nine. The morning is more running and in the afternoon at five we’ll play games and put what we’ve done in the morning into the games.

"We’re getting weighed before and after training to make sure we’re not dehydrated.

“For all us young lads, we’re hoping to make an impression,” said the 17-year-old. “We’ve had a taste of it and we’re dying to get there again and again. I’ve described it as a bit like a drug before, you just want more and more.”

Digby became the Reds’ fourth youngest ever League debutant as he made his senior bow at Derby County last September and has received nothing but a warm welcome from the senior players.

He added, “Physically it was a big jump, massively, but the players here have made it so easy, talking to me all the time. If I’m not doing something right they’ll tell me.

“I think for someone my age it’s about keeping developing. There’s a lot of kids get in the first team then stop because they think they’ve made it. I know I’ve not made it I know I’ve got a lot more to learn and more developing to do.

“I hope there’ll be chances (next season). I’m ready to fight for that place like we all are. If more centre-mids come in that’s brilliant because it adds to the competition.

“I just love every minute being here. I’m going to do as much as I can to keep the dream going.

“I think the gaffer will get the best out of all these players coming in.”