Sheffield Wednesday are very quickly strengthening their first-team squad this summer.
The Owls narrowly avoided relegation with a threadbare ageing squad – one of the oldest in the Championship.
Danny Rohl has already made six additions to his new-look team, three of which are 26 or below.
Wednesday are preparing for a much-improved campaign and look set to have the quality and talent to do so, while their summer transfer business suggests they will also be gifted with plenty of squad depth too.
While the club are eager to bring in new players, Rohl is clearly eager to build from within too.
Journalist Joe Crann reported earlier this week that Sam Reed, Rio Shipston and Gui Siqueira were three of the youngsters kicking off preseason training with the senior team.
Reed has now shared what Rohl has told him and how his promotion to the first team is a ‘dream come true’.
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Sam Reed insists he will be a ‘valuable asset’
When asked by The Star whether he would be staying with the seniors this summer, he said: “That’s the plan. The manager has said that I’m going to be with the first team until told otherwise.
“It’s like a dream come true. I’m a Wednesdayite who was playing non-league two seasons ago at Brighouse Town where I was travelling four hours on a matchday because there are no hotels, and now I’m here.
“I was in the U21s and I thought that I’d start to just try and gradually get in, but in my first season I was able to be up and down in with the first team, then I got my debut in my first year – words can’t describe stuff like that, it’s unbelievable.
“This season, hopefully, I can get involved and kick on. You’re always aiming for the very top, but maybe this could be my limit and if I end up just playing for Sheffield Wednesday then I certainly wouldn’t be angry about that! I just want to keep kicking on, and keep pushing.
“Always having other positions helps you get involved in the team, because injuries always happen – it’s just a part of football. So if I can fill in centre back, left back, centre mid, and help the team then I think I can be a more valuable asset.”
Can he break into the Sheffield Wednesday senior set-up next season?
Reed made one appearance in the FA Cup earlier this year, but has otherwise been completely absent from the senior team.
The 21-year-old will be desperate to prove his worth this summer, with Rohl already showing he is willing to give academy players a shot after Bailey Cadamarteri made 14 starts in the Championship.
Reed could struggle to force his way in though, with Max Lowe recently coming in to compete with Marvin Johnson for that left-back spot.
The youngster could instead end up being loaned out, but earning some training time with the first team will be valuable and important for him anyway.
With Reed approaching his 22nd birthday and the end of his contract next month, he could well feel that the upcoming campaign is the most important, so he will be hoping he can get some minutes under his belt during their preseason fixtures.