Barnet boss Martin Allen has warned some of the club’s senior players will have to go after handing birthday boy Justin Nwogu his senior debut and admitting several youngsters are on the verge of the first team.

Former Dartford winger Nwogu was named on the bench for the first time yesterday as Barnet beat York City 3-1 and marked his 19th birthday by making his professional debut as a second-half substitute.

Nwogu impressed down the left-hand side of midfield and was not the only youngster named amongst the substitutes with Under-18s hot-shot Matt Stevens also included after his match-winning strike in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Brentford on Tuesday.

There has been much clamour to see Stevens, who scored 57 times for the title-winning Under-18s last season, and the tricky Fumnaya Shomotun given a chance this season.

Both have been named as substitutes on several occasions, along with Development Team striker Ryan Gondoh and Under-18s full-back Hakeem Odofin. But for now it is only Stevens and Nwogu who have made an appearance.

Now Allen has suggested he will look to involve more of the club’s young players going forward after admitting several are on the cusp on the first team.

Speaking after Saturday’s victory over the Minsterman, Allen said: “If I can, I want to try to bring through some of the younger players.

“You’ve seen Justin (Nwogu) today and there’s more behind the scenes than him.

We’ve also got (Matt) Stevens who was superb when he played [at Brentford] on Tuesday. He’s sharpening up now and getting closer and closer to men’s football.

“Then Hakeem (Odofin). Hakeem is a good player. And they are all on the edge of it, right on the periphery. So some of the senior players are going to have to go.”

Assessing the impact of Nwogu, Allen said: "There are a few good young players here but it’s not been right to put them in.

"But you saw when he came on he has got energy, enthusiasm and speed.  He’s a great lad, we all really like him and believe it or not it’s his birthday today. So everybody inside has just sung Happy Birthday to him.

"I wanted to be able to freshen it up today. It was great to be able to give someone their debut and over the next few months I’m sure there are going to be more.

"The boys have been training with us regularly. There will be more going in soon."