Southampton Under-18s manager Craig Fleming is well aware of the challenge his side will face tomorrow when they take on Manchester City.
The Citizens are set to visit Staplewood in the first game of the new Premier League Cup format, and Fleming feels the match will help him to gage the levels within his squad.
“It’s well documented the strength that Man City have in depth,” he started.
“They are unbeaten in the league and averaging three or four goals a game, so it will be a tough challenge but one that I think will be brilliant for our boys.
“It’s good for them to test themselves against players that they aren’t necessarily too familiar with, and it allows us to see them against some of the best players in Europe to gage what levels they are at.”
New recruit Kornelius Hansen, who came off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur to score on his debut, will be available for the clash with City.
And Fleming is pleased with how the Norway Under-17 international has settled at Southampton since joining in the summer.
“He has got great qualities,” continued Fleming.
“He is very clinical in front of goal. He has sniffed out three chances already in the two games he has played, including one in pre-season and obviously against Tottenham when he scored.
“It’s difficult when you move away from your family at that age and don’t speak the language fluently, but he has been great and settled in very well.”
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