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John Jones

The next batch of Cardiff City stars hoping to barge their way into Erol Bulut's first-team plans

The first Cardiff City game of the Erol Bulut era takes place this weekend as the Bluebirds play host to Cymru Premier Division side Penybont FC as part of their pre-season preparations.

While it may not be the most glamorous tie that will be ever held at Cardiff City Stadium, it is one full of opportunity, with fans getting to see Bulut's side in action for the first time, while the Turkish manager gets to experiment with his team selection ahead of the first game of the season on August 6.

It could also prove a crucial fixture for some of the up-and-coming youngsters at the club, however, as they look to force their way into Bulut's thinking ahead of the new Championship campaign.

READ MORE: Cardiff City announce behind-closed-doors matches and Premier League friendly as full summer schedule revealed

The new boss has made no secret of his intention to revamp the squad that finished 21st in the league last season, claiming that he is eyeing up to 10 new signings this summer having identified the areas of the team that need improvement.

But while this could spell bad news for some players who fail to make an impact during pre-season, Bulut has also conceded that he simply does not know enough about the club's young prospects to decide yet where they will fit in his plans, with the 48-year-old keen to test them in the upcoming games against Penybont FC and their league rivals The New Saints.

"I want after the first week to have a game because I want to see a few young players," he revealed. "I don't know all the young players. For a few games I was watching I knew a few names [in the first team] and what kind of performance they can give.

"But for some young players, I don't know. That's why I want to see them in some games. They will be good for our squad for the rest of the season.

"So this is important," he added. "We need the young players to have two good games in front of our fans. We want to start the first game with a win. Even if it's a friendly match, we want to win as much as possible."

With Bulut inviting the club's young talent to show him what they're made of, the question is who will now take the opportunity to force their way into his first-team plans?

While his knowledge of the Bluebirds' youth is, by his own admission, limited, the manager will have undoubtedly been told about the huge potential held by academy products Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies.

The pair endured stop-start seasons last campaign, with mercurial talent Colwill, 20, starting just four Championship matches having struggled with injury while 21-year-old Davies was ruled out of last summer's pre-season before seeing his opportunities limited by the acquisitions of Sory Kaba and Connor Wickham.

Both men's natural ability is undeniable, while their respective ceilings are arguably the highest at the club. But having been backed by the fans since bursting onto the scene and playing little first-team football in that time, Colwill and Davies both now have a point to prove and in order to do so, need minutes under their belts.

With Colwill also hitting form on international duty for the under-21s, it would appear mutually beneficial for Bulut to include at least one of them in his plans for Penybont as he targets an opening win.

Defender Oliver Denham is largely in the same boat after an injury hit-season, with the 21-year-old carrying out some extra-curricular training ahead of the next campaign as he looks to make Bulut sit up and notice.

Again, his potential has been recognised by club and country, having signed a new deal with Cardiff earlier this year and being called up to the senior Wales squad for last year's crunch World Cup qualifiers - but now it is up to him to show what he is capable of as he looks for a consistent run of appearances.

Also hoping to push on is Eli King, who signed a new three-year contract with the Bluebirds earlier this week in the first bit of business of the Bulut era.

Having made seven first-team appearances for Cardiff over the past two seasons and spending last term out on loan with Crewe Alexandra, the 20-year-old is eager for more, telling Cardiff City TV: "Pre-season is about trying to impress, and get your fitness up as well.

"I've had a taste of senior football, and I feel like I've developed a lot in these past two seasons through being involved in first-team football. This season is about pushing on and being really involved in senior football."

Ollie Tanner is another who will be hoping to put a frustrating year behind him, with the 21-year-old, who turned down Spurs to join the Bluebirds from seventh-tier side Lewes FC last year, having a difficult first season as a Cardiff player.

After spending time with the under-21s to build up his fitness, he was sent out to National League side York City in January to gain experience, but came back with very little after only playing six games and being jettisoned from the squad after less than two months.

But he has shown glimpses of his talent in the opportunities he has been given at under-21 level, with boss Darren Purse praising his "outstanding" ability. If he is patient, then, and channels the frustration of recent months in the right way, there's every chance he can make a lasting impression on Bulut.

Meanwhile, James Crole presents the new Bluebirds boss with a wildcard option as he looks to bolster his new side's attacking options, with the 19-year-old striker already an accomplished finisher - but admittedly his time may come a little further down the line with new forwards expected to be brought in.

And then there's 18-year-old midfielder Joel Colwill - Rubin's brother - who signed his first professional contract with the club last year having been at the academy since he was six years old. While nobody is expecting him to muscle his way into the first team this season, rest assured that Bulut will have soon been told all about him.

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