LEE Hughes and John Snape want to play a “massive part” in Worcester City’s academy system, according to head of youth development Luca Gabriel.

The pair were appointed joint managers last month and have since been putting their squad together ahead of the Midland League Premier Division campaign.

But Gabriel revealed that “unlike other seasons” the management duo would be actively keeping a close eye on the progress of the youth set up.

Snape, who is a former City and Hereford United midfielder, stepped up from assistant boss to temporarily take over the reins last term before being handed the job permanently.

It is Hughes’ first coaching role, but the 41-year-old striker has wealth of experience in the game having played in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.

“Lee told me that he wants to be involved on a regular basis with the youth because when he was coming through the ranks he said he was around the older lads in the changing room and on the training ground,” Gabriel said.

“I had a meeting with Lee and Snapper about three weeks ago after we found out what we were going to do going forward.

“They want to be a massive part of the youth segment.

“They are going to be at the trials for the under 15s, 16s, 18s and 21s (at the University of Worcester on Sunday).

“Unlike other seasons the two managers are going to be massively involved because they want to.”

Several of City’s youngsters were given the chance to train with the senior side at the end of the 2016/17 National League North campaign, with teenagers Aaron Brett and Callum Devlin making their first team debuts.

Gabriel expects more opportunities for the club’s academy aces in the Midland League Premier Division.

But many of his promising players are likely to fall into City’s new under 21 team which is set to be launched ahead of next season.

“I know we have got 50 players coming for the open trials for the first team,” Gabriel said.

“Snapper and Lee asked me if I could take a few more in the under 21s, but we had 48 going for that team as well.

“You need to have experience in the fancied positions, like goalkeeper, centre half and holding midfield.

“I reckon the proof of the pudding is going to be come around January, February when a couple of the first team players pick up injuries.

"That’s when we will see whether (the young players) can step up or not.

"But it is going to be a tough league.”