Sunderland v Hull City: No Lucas Herrington fears as Sergej Jakirovic using match for minutes
Sergej Jakirovic will use Tuesday's League Cup tie at Sunderland to learn about more of his 18 new signings but he has already made his mind up about a teenage centre-back he is completely relaxed at throwing into the heat of Premier League battle.
With Nobel Mendy not yet fit enough to last 90 minutes, Lucas Herrington has come off the bench in all Hull's unbeaten league games despite only turning 19 in the third of them, Saturday's 0-0 with Aston Villa.
Having started the second-round shoot-out win at Stoke City, it would be a surprise if Herrington was not in an XI likely to be heavy on new recruits at the Stadium of Light.
"I think he can be excellent, because (he was born in) 2007 (but) he's playing," said coach Jakirovic.
"I don't have any fear when he's on the pitch, I believe in him 100 per cent.
"He's excellent. He has great potential. With this experience, he will grow also.
"It will be very good for him and a great experience for him. These minutes are very valuable for him.
"Just stay healthy and everything is possible."
Herrington signed from Colorado Rapids shortly after becoming Australia’s youngest World Cup starter in June.
Others, though, have points to prove and adjustments to make.
Deadline-evening additions Christos Mouzakitis, Tim Iroegbunam and Robinio Vaz are yet to make their Tigers' debuts, and Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Sorba Thomas and Mohamed-Ali Cho their first starts.
Matt Targett and Jens Hjerto-Dahl played at Stoke but have not started in the league yet.
Despite having had a signing spree of Sunderland 2025 proportions, Jakirovic has been content to lean on the core of last season's squad and try to sprinkle the new faces in gently. That was why getting past Stoke last month was important.
"We will try through the Carabao Cup to improve some things, to see some new players, because I'm watching them on television (so far)," explained Jakirovic, who hopes to have Iroegbunam and Matt Crooks fit after recent injuries.
"And also, I need to know them better.
"It's a great opportunity for them. But we will put the best XI out for Tuesday."
A rule change last season means Thomas is eligible despite playing against Hull in round two.