Steve Bruce believes it is 'vitally important' for Newcastle United to tie down potential stars of the future following new deals for Jack Young, Adam Wilson and Oisin Mcentree.
Earlier this month the U23 trio extended their stay at the club and Young was handed a place on the bench against Manchester City.
Alongside Tom Allan, Young is tipped as one of the brightest prospects in the academy and is on a growing list of players to watch out for.
Several of the teenagers have taken the step up to first-team training and Bruce feels signing the likes of Young and Wilson up to new deals is key for United going forward.
"They've certainly come into the squad," Bruce said of the youngsters.
"[Dan] Barlaser hurt his thigh unfortunately after two or three days so we haven't seen a lot of him but the two lads [Allan and Young] who went with us the other day [to Manchester] will remember that, to be part of it.
"They won't have enjoyed the scoreline like we all didn't, but it is important for a club like ours or any club can produce their own player - especially a club like this one- so it is all vitally important.
"The difficulty is they're not back to work yet - they've not started yet, so it is an important mechanism for any club; we all invest heavily in the academy, so it is important that we continue to bring one or two through if they can make the grade."
With four games remaining and senior players now running on empty, the next few weeks may present more opportunities for the youngsters to impress Bruce before attention turns to pre-season.
However, given the quick restart of the Premier League Bruce would like to see the players given a longer break between the end of the season and the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
Asked if he would like to see the players given more time off this summer: "Yes, I've seen a suggestion it might be September 12.
"I would imagine the players aren't going to have any more than three weeks off. I do believe the players all need to take a break, all need to shut their bodies down a little bit.
"It's relentless what they've been doing. In difficult times they've kept themselves fit.
"They need to shut down and take a break. A two-week break is certainly not long enough in my opinion."
