Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Hailed by Roberto Martinez as a 'talented generation', Everton FC’s Academy aces are chasing FA Youth Cup glory.

The young Blues booked their place in the quarter-finals on Monday with a 2-0 victory at Sheffield United , and their progress has been praised by first-team boss Martinez.

The Catalan says the club's under 18s have an ‘incredible future’ and reckons some could be forcing their way into his plans as early as next season.

So today the ECHO puts the spotlight on three of the key men in Everton’s FA Youth Cup run so far.

George Green

A jewel in the crown of the Blues’ Academy, Green has netted four goals in the club’s FA Youth Cup run this season.

He set Everton on their way with both strikes in a 2-0 success over Brighton, including a fine 20-yarder on his right foot. He used his favoured left to help inspire his side to a 4-3 success over Birmingham City at Goodison Park last month, also netting a curling free kick.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Green came off the bench to set up the win over Birmingham, having been sidelined by injury for three weeks before the fourth round tie.

Youth boss Kevin Sheedy felt Green ‘turned the game’ for the Blues.

“He was a bit disappointed not to start but I explained to him that I didn’t think he would last the 90 minutes,” said Sheedy. “We used him as an impact player and he came on and had the impact we knew he could.”

Everton pipped Spurs to sign Yorkshire-born Green from Bradford City in October 2011, when he was aged 15. Now 18, he is developing into a powerhouse player capable of playing in central midfield or just behind a main striker.

Ryan Ledson

Liverpool-born Ledson is an ever-present in this season’s FA Youth Cup run.

The 16-year-old has been with the Blues since he was five and models his game on Frank Lampard.

He has already appeared for Alan Stubbs’ Everton under 21s team, showing maturity beyond his teenage years. A sublime through-ball by Ledson opened up the Sheffield United defence in Monday’s tie, leading to the penalty which Gethin Jones netted to make it 2-0.

The midfielder has progressed through the England ranks and is currently a member of John Peacock’s under 17s squad. The same goes for another one of Everton’s promising teenagers…

Jonjo Kenny

An England U17 team-mate of Ledson’s, Kirkdale-born Kenny played in the Youth Cup wins over Brighton and Birmingham.

Still a month shy of his 17th birthday, he has stepped up to represent Everton’s U21s on occasions. Kenny can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.

Blues youth coach Kevin Sheedy rates the youngster highly.

He said: “He’s made really good progress and he is a versatile player able to do a job for us in a variety of positions. He’s an old fashioned throw-back of a player in the way he loves a header and tackle, but at the same time he reads the game superbly.”

The list, of course, does not end there. Other young players to keep an eye on include brothers Courtney and Tyrone Duffus, and Warrington-born right-back Matthew Pennington, who has been loaned to Tranmere Rovers to gain senior experience.

Next up in the FA Youth Cup for the Everton teenagers will be either Arsenal or Charlton Athletic.

The London rivals are due to play this Friday, setting up the possibility of an Arsenal v Everton quarter-final - a replica of the task facing Martinez’s men at first-team level.

More Everton FC news

Blues defender Alcaraz ready to put injury woes behind him