Liam Rosenior will have a "keen eye" on Derby County's academy and wants a "one club" mentality as they look to develop its next generation of talent.
The Rams are regarded as having one of the best academies outside the Premier League but saw several young stars leave because of the club's financial problems last season. Festy Ebosele left to join Udinese in the summer after agreeing a pre-contract in March, while Luke Plange and Malcolm Ebiowei left for Crystal Palace.
Derby have been eager to replenish its stock of young players this summer with George Nunn arriving from Chelsea while Jack Bates and Demico Burton have also signed. On transfer deadline day, Joe Haigh arrived from Chelsea on a half-season loan as did defender Leigh Kavanagh from Rosenior's former club Brighton.
READ MORE: Simon Jordan and Piers Morgan disagree as EFL make 'sensible' decision
READ MORE: What Liam Rosenior has learned from Graham Potter as Chelsea confirm deal
Jake Rooney was also a player signed for the club's youth set-up, but he has impressed so much that he has been quickly elevated to the first-team squad.
Interim Rams boss Rosenior has underlined the importance of Derby's academy particularly as it has also furnished the first team with incredible talent such as Jason Knight, Max Bird and Louie Sibley.
"If you look at the recent history of this club, we have sold so many outstanding young players," he said. "They were probably not at the fees we would have done had we been in this position. So for Darren Wassall and Pat Lyons, they have been working so hard on replenishing the group.
"It's my job to make sure that happens too. I want a one-club mentality throughout the whole club and the academy is a huge part of that. What I want to see here is my and Darren's role to be really close in how we work together and for me to have a keen eye on the next group and to give Darren and the academy all the support I can.
"I know David and Stephen have really committed to that as well to give them all the help they can have to make our academy strong as it can possibly be."
READ NEXT:
Derby County transfer decision proven right as striker stresses key squad point
How Derby County's 11 summer exits are getting on after leaving Pride Park
'The wind of his fist' - Derby County hero reveals why Nottingham makes him uneasy
Derby County given major injury boost as video footage released
Watford explored surprise summer Derby County transfer after Festy Ebosele decision