Derby to hand debut to 15-year-old Bennett
Derby boss Nigel Clough is pondering over the idea of handing teenager Mason Bennett a first team debut despite the striker being only 15-years of age.
Clough was all set to hand Bennett is debut against Reading on Tuesday but had to scrap his plans due to the youngster having to be up early for school the next morning.
However he will be included in the Ram’s squad for their trip to high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday which could see him make his senior bow and Clough has admitted he is excited about the teenager.
He said: “Mason is someone we have to be patient with, but we can’t deny that we’re very excited about him,”
“He’s a fantastic prospect and playing in the Championship would certainly not faze him.
“We wanted to take him with us to Reading, but we were mindful that he had to be in at school nice and early the following day!” He added
“It won’t be a problem this weekend though, because he’s breaking up for half-term next week.”
Bennett, who was born on the same day England beat Scotland in Euro 96 which included Paul Gascoigne’s famous goal and dentist chair celebration, will become the youngest Derby debutant in their history should he play beating previous record holder Lee Holmes by 169 days.
The teenager, who scored twice in Englands under-16’s 3-1 win over Northern Ireland last month, has already attracted interest from the Premier League with both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Tottenham all keeping tabs on him.
