Brian Barry-Murphy says allowing younger members of his squad to leave on loan is critical for their development.
Keaton Mulvey (Mossley AFC), Brad Wade (Guiseley AFC) and Lewis Bradley (Bradford Park Avenue) have all gone on loan in search of regular, competitive football, something the boss says the Club owe them.
“I suppose the overall end for those players is what we spoke about in pre-season,” said Barry-Murphy.
“We have a duty to those players to remain really focused on their development. We want to make sure that their development comes above our needs.
“From a selfish point of view, I’d like to have them as a back-up squad, in case anybody gets injured.
“Lewis, Keaton and Brad will be very much here as back-up in case anybody had to go off the bench. Our focus for them was to get them game time, which was very beneficial to those players last season.
“It is critical that they get that exposure now, rather than waiting until January, between which time they might not have played any games for us.
“They get loads of development from training with us, but that actual matchday action on a Saturday is critical for them. The experience from the level they’re at now will be so important for their development and their understanding of competitive action also.
He continued: “It would be easy for us to keep them here because we’ve got a smaller squad this season, just in case. But I feel as if we owe those guys the best opportunity to develop, irrespective of the circumstances of the Club at that moment.
“They’re so excited to go out on loan and experience the connection with the Clubs they’re playing for.
“Keaton has done really well at Mossley, but when he came in from the EDS last season, it was very much with the plan that at the end of last season and this season, his development will be critical in terms of where he ends up at the end of the season and then we can measure him against our own lads of that age, and see how much progress he has made.
“Lewis is slightly different, in that he has always been a late developer physically. We think he can be a very special player and it is a great opportunity for him to fulfil his potential.”