Steve Bruce insists the pathway to the first team from the club's Under-23 set-up is still wide open.
However, he admits that his task to hand more youngsters a chance is getting tougher with a near full strength squad to choose from going into November.
Bruce handed 19-year-old Matty Longstaff his Premier League debut in October and he responded with a well-taken goal against Manchester United.
In recent weeks, teenage midfielder Jack Young and Spanish winger Victor Fernandez have impressed in the second string with Bruce keeping a close eye on them.
Bruce was in the stands for the 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough at Whitley Park this week.
When asked if Fernandez was one he was keen on, he told Chronicle Live: "Yeah.
"But there's two or three that you always keep an eye on.
"When we get them up occasionally you take a look.
"We are getting towards a full squad now so it will be difficult.
"But as we have proved with the Longstaffs it can only be a good thing."
United's kids have beaten Sunderland and drew with Boro in the last week or so with Neil Redfearn admitting he took a lot of satisfaction out of the fight back against the Teessiders on Monday night after they went 2-0 down.
He said: "When you do well against the local neighbours or beat them it is always nice."
