Swindon Town under-18s manager Sean Wood is confident Harley Hunt will be able to continue his development and become a first-team player.

At just 16 years old, the defender is the third youngest player to ever start a league game for Swindon, behind Paul Rideout and Ernie Hunt, having played three times in the final three games of the season, and starting against Grimsby Town and Morecambe.

Wood backed the defender to earn more opportunities at senior level both because of his footballing talent and also his personality.

Speaking to club media, he said: “Fair play to him, he looks massive out there, doesn’t he? He doesn’t look out of place at all.

“It is brilliant to see, he is a great kid who wants to learn, but he still does have loads to learn.

“But it was two really good positive performances and two starts when he didn’t look out of place.

“He knows what he needs to improve on and we will continue to do that next year with whatever environment he is in and what staff he is working under.

“We will continue to work with him and support him on and off the pitch.

“He has got the right character and determination to kick on now, so that will hold him in good stead.”

Hunt was the latest of seven academy players to make their senior debuts this season, with every under-18s player having at least trained with the first team this campaign.

The final game of the season saw four academy players involved, with Joel McGregor and Harley Hunt starting, Redman Evans making his league debut as a substitute, and Jaxon Brown on the bench, Wood said it has made him very proud to see all of the progress the young players have made.

He said: “It is a proud moment for myself as the under-18s lead and everybody that has worked so hard to develop the players.

“We have worked very hard as a club to make sure that we are connected, there are discussions every week around what boys train with the first team.

“Every week we work hard to make sure we are doing what is right for every individual, they have to prove themselves and everything is on merit, it is not just a token gesture.

“When they get their opportunities it is about taking it and staying around the first-team environment when they can.”