JOHN Pemberton hopes to play his part in keeping the production line of talent turning at Nottingham Forest.
Pemberton has returned to the City Ground as professional development coach – a role that will see him help young players make the step up from the youth team into the senior squad.
He performed a similar role during his previous spell at the club, helping the likes of Andy Reid, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Dawson and, more recently, Lewis McGugan.
Pemberton, who left Sheffield United a few months ago, said: "The aim is to get home grown players into the first team.
"I did that at Sheffield United, when we put nine players into the first team, selling one for more than £1m and reached the final of the FA Youth Cup.
"I think I am OK at it, we just need to get players in.
"It is similar to what I did before. It will be my job to bridge the gap between the young players coming through and the senior squad.
"The under-21 side is currently very young and they are finding things difficult because they are going to places like Wigan and they have five players in their team who have played in the Premier League.
"Their youngest player was 20, but we had a 16-year-old lad playing up front. At the moment, we need more numbers. That group needs to be built.
"But we will work on that."
