Barnsley FC youth coach Martin Devaney is urging the club's new professionals to seize their chance in what he feels is becoming 'a young man's game'.

Five youngsters have graduated from the academy from the second year to sign their first professional contracts.

Devaney believes they have a great chance given the current state of the game and the club they are at.

"It's a young man's game and they have got a chance," said Devaney.

"They need to have that desire to improve in all the keys areas but there is no better club to do that at than at Barnsley because it doesn't matter how old you are, if you're good enough, you're good enough."

Defenders Louis Wardle and Will Smith and attackers Louis Rowe and Romal Palmer have all signed professionally in the last six months with defender Adam Lund joining them this week.

Devaney said: "Louis (Rowe) is blessed in that he can hold the ball up and also get in behind. He needs an arm around his shoulder every now and again and he needs to start throwing his weight around more.

"Chunky (Wardle) is a great lad and he's from Wombwell. He has done really well with the under 23s and always rises to the challenge.

"Will and Adam are both players you would want in the trenches with you. Will is technically a good passer and reads the game well.

"Adam is a one hundred per center and he's great off the pitch too. Romal can be anything he wants to be and can play anywhere up front and in midfield too. He just needs to find that consistency."