Newcastle United's current injury crisis, which sees nine first-team players sidelined with injury, has forced Matthias Jaissle to turn to the academy to fill out his matchday squad.
The 2-1 victory over Hull City last weekend saw five of the Magpies youngsters make their way onto the bench to gain senior matchday experience.
But, whilst the injuries did play a factor, don't let them fool you into thinking that the youngsters didn't deserve their place on the bench. In fact, there are two in particular who I really believe could make a first-team impact at some point this season.
The problems that may need addressing
Matthias Jaissle's side has a few pertinent holes and question marks that are yet to be answered this season, and it isn't only because of the injuries.
On the right-wing, Anthony Elanga is of course out for the foreseeable, with no real time scale put on his return as of yet, which leaves Jacob Murphy, who I have talked about extensively for mainly negative reasons on this platform, as the only option.
The other of the two problems is a less obvious one, but one that I genuinely think could see some opportunities arise for those in the academy who are knocking on the door.
Whilst we have options up front, as of yet there haven't been any standouts in the centre-forward position. We are still awaiting the return of Will Osula, who will likely become the first choice upon return, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo is still bedding in, but it does feel as though he may be better suited to playing wide or in behind the striker based on his performances thus far.
Of course there is also Yoane Wissa, but he looks set to be the most prominent of the number 10 options, and has looked more comfortable there than as the main No. 9.
What both of those situations mean is that, with a young squad already at Jaissle's disposal, there will be opportunities there for the standout youngsters to make inroads and be handed opportunities by the gaffer, who has spoken openly about his willingness to do so.
The two players who could bridge the gap
Vakhtang Salia
Vakhtang Salia is a player who has commanded a lot of excitement since his arrival on Tyneside last summer, mainly because of the hype he came with from those in his home country Georgia.
Since then, the 19-year-old has looked very good in the academy ranks, scoring four goals in his first five games with the U21's and, of course, training on a regular basis with the first-team too. Salia has often been compared to Roberto Firmino, mainly due to his multi-functional playstyle and his excellent technical base.
Whilst Salia may not entirely solve the problem of no out-and-out striker, it does feel as though he has the profile to step into that front two dynamic and provide the Magpies with some much needed chance creation and finishing in the forward areas.
Kyran Thompson
Kyran Thompson was brought to the club this summer from Arsenal in a cloud of confusion after the deal seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth before finally being completed.
Since then, Thompson has been in wonderful form, scoring and assisting in his first start alongside that coveted first-team call up.
Thompson has the ability to play up front or off the right. He is a pure winger, loves to take on his man and has an outstanding technical ability. There is some room for growth in terms of the physical side of his game, but at just 17 years old, first-team minutes could be exceptionally valuable to him.
Plus, what harm could it do to give him a chance ahead of Murphy? Who knows, Jaissle might just uncover an absolute gem who can transform Newcastle's chance creation from the right hand side.
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