Following injuries to first-choice left-backs Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett in recent weeks, Sam McQueen - ANOTHER product of the infamous Southampton academy - has deputised and impressed on the left side of the back four in the Saints' recent matches.

The 21-year-old, who had previously played in a more attacking role before Claude Puel came to the club, entered the action as a first-half substitute in the 3-1 win against Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium earlier this month, making his first appearance in the Premier League in the process. And he certainly made a positive impression on his top-flight debut, too, oozing composure as well as winning a penalty which Charlie Austin duly converted.

McQueen is one of a number of young players that have already been in and around the south coast outfit’s first team this term under Puel, and with a busy schedule ahead, FootballFanCast takes a look at FIVE  players who could follow him into the starting XI in the coming weeks and months.

OLUFELA OLOMOLA

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Sunderland - EFL Cup Fourth Round - St Mary's Stadium - 26/10/16 Southampton's Olufela Olomola in action with Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt and Jack Rodwell Reuters / Hannah McKay Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please cont

Not many Saints fans would have been familiar with Olomola before this season, but the striker has been on the fringes of the starting XI ever since appearing on the bench against Sunderland back in March.

After being named in the 18 for the trips to Leicester City and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the 19-year-old finally made his debut as a substitute against Sunderland in the EFL Cup last week.

With Charlie Austin unlikely to play every game because of Puel's rotation system, and Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez both struggling with confidence in front of goal, it could be a taste of first-team football that continues.

JACK STEPHENS

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Sunderland - EFL Cup Fourth Round - St Mary's Stadium - 26/10/16
Sunderland's Paddy McNair in action with Southampton's Jack Stephens
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Following successful loan spells at Swindon Town and Coventry City, as well as a rather unsuccessful one at Middlesbrough, the centre-half is back at Southampton and looking to force his way into the starting XI.

Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte are Claude Puel’s first-choice pairing but with the number of matches the club has to contend with this season, and with Fonte not getting any younger, the Devon-born youngster has a real chance to show his manager that he can be the future at the heart of the defence - as he did when he was rewarded with a start in the 1-0 win against Sunderland last week.

JAKE HESKETH

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The attacking midfielder made his bow for Saints in the 2014/15 campaign as a late substitute against Manchester United, before making his first start five days later in a defeat to Burnley.

However, injury forced him off at Turf Moor, and he hadn’t made a senior appearance for the club until Puel named him in the team to face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup in September.

The 20-year-old impressed at the top of the diamond, and also netted his first ever senior for the club.

He was rewarded with a place in the starting XI for the trip to Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Europa League, but was substituted off by Puel in the 35th minute, with the Frenchman saying he took the decision to protect his player in what was an electric atmosphere in Israel.

Nevertheless, Hesketh is sure to get more minutes with the games coming thick and fast for the club.

JOSH SIMS

Football - England v Netherlands - Under 18 International Friendly - JD Stadium, Bury - 5/9/14 Josh Sims - England in action against Calvin Verdonk - Netherlands Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul Currie EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

The winger has long been touted to be the next name to graduate from Saints' famous academy, but he is yet to make his debut for the first team.

The speedy forward was rewarded with a new deal last year that will keep him at the club until 2018, and he hit a fine run of form for the U-23s earlier this term, scoring four goals in four matches.

With the matches coming thick and fast over the Christmas period and Claude Puel favouring the rotation system, it might not be long until the 19-year-old finally gets his opportunity.

YAN VALERY

Football Soccer - FC Groningen v Southampton - Pre Season Friendly - Noordlease Stadion, Groningen, Netherlands - 16/17 - 30/7/16 Southampton's Yan Valery Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley

The youngest name out of the five at just 17, the right-back made a big impression on his French compatriot Puel when he was called into the first-team squad in pre-season.

Of course, age is just a number when it comes to youngsters making their breakthrough with this club - just ask Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - and with Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina the only two recgonised right-backs, that the chance could arrive sooner rather than later.