The City boss said to the CET: "I have given opportunities to kids and shown that I believe in the academy.
"What we are looking for them to do now is establish themselves in the reserves in the first instance and in the first team by the time their contracts are up again.
"It is going to be tough for them, particularly given the position we finished in this season and taking into account where we want to go as a club, but if they do manage to break through then we will have some players on our hands."