SCOTT Mitchell is not bothered in the slightest that Joe Royle has failed to land any new players.The flexible 19-year-old, who can play midfield or full back, is ready to step into the breach and prove Town have the youngsters capable of doing a job.

By Derek Davis

SCOTT Mitchell is not bothered in the slightest that Joe Royle has failed to land any new players.

The flexible 19-year-old, who can play midfield or full back, is ready to step into the breach and prove Town have the youngsters capable of doing a job.

The Ely-born player, who made his debut as a substitute at Derby last season, made his home debut against Watford but his arrival off the bench was overshadowed by a Dean Bowditch hat-trick.

Since then, Mitchell has started against Brentford in the League Cup win and continues to lessen the need for outside reinforcements.

He said: “You do try and prove to the Gaffer, day in and day out, in training that there is no point in bringing in another player, or whatever, because we are here and can do it.

“There is no point in worrying about what is in the papers, you just have to use it to push you along and work that bit harder and convince the manager he doesn't need to bring someone else in.

“That said, I am a young player and I know I need to be patient and will keep working and wait my chance.

“I have been involved quite a few times and my aim is to stay involved. I still have a lot to bring to my game and I'm not playing anywhere near my best, but I'm still in the squad.”

Mitchell has been used as a midfielder when he has gone on for skipper Jim Magilton and, with the Irishman struggling with a knee injury, could well get the call again soon. If not, Mitchell is also a capable full-back.

He said: “It is bonus that I can play in a couple of positions and that has been a reason why the Gaffer has included me in squads.“

Respected by his peers, Mitchell is one of the quieter members of the squad but admits he relishes the big-game atmosphere.

He said: “It is really exciting being in the dressing room, with 20,000 and more people in ground, and that just gives me that extra pushes and want to be involved more.

“Playing in the first team has given me a taste, it was a terrific buzz and now I want even more of it.”

Mitchell is captain of a young Town reserves that has failed to win a game in eight attempts so far, but they did hold third-placed Southampton to a goal-less draw on Monday.

But results are not the be-all and end-all for Steve McCall's young charges, who are using the experience to better themselves.

Mitchell said: “It has not the best of starts but, at the same time, we are probably the youngest reserve side in the Premier League, so we have to take a lot of positives from that.

“Normally, a reserve side would have a few senior pros in the side but we are usually getting Matt Richards, Ian Westlake and Dean Bowditch, who are first-teamers but not much older than us.

“We aspire to be like them and they show how the club operates inasmuch as they will give young players a chance in the first team and what can be achieved from that.”

Magilton is the only slight injury concern ahead of today's clash with Preston with a knee problem. He is expected to return after being rested at Watford if Town revert to a 4-4-2 system. However, Preston also use the 4-3-3 system on occasions and will look to match Town.