Before the international break I wrote that Mason Bennett was knocking on the door to replace an injured Johnny Russell in the Rams starting line up. Since then he scored 3 crucial goals in 2 games for the English U19's and pretty much went from knocking to smashing the door down.

With Johnny Russell out of action for up to 2 months after sustaining an injury to his fibula during the victory over Leeds, it was always going to be a two horse race to replace him up front with Bennett and Sammon raring to go.

Russell will miss at least four matches, and with another another international break coming around soon, it will be a reasonable chance for whoever McClaren chooses to prove they deserve the spot full time.

Bennett's international heroics will push Steve McClaren to take the next step in selection after already admitting in the media that he was close to starting Mason in the Leeds match.

Long suffering Conor Sammon would have thought an injury would have given him an opportunity to come in and prove his worth but unfortunately Mason is more of a like for like swap and will be brimming with confidence, something a manager will always try to harness as there is no confidence like goal scoring confidence!

Sammon gets into great positions regularly, holds the ball up well and is not afraid to shoot but somehow manages to miss when, on many occasions, it seems as if it would be easier to score.

On the other hand Bennett has great pace, skill, a mature physique and importantly is a quality finisher. He has a calmness about him that quality goal scorers have, the ability to seemingly slow down time as they get that extra space on their defender and expertly find the net.

His football nous belies his years and easily dispels any doubt that he still needs to be slowly worked into regular football. As former Manchester United manager Matt Busby famously said; “If they are good enough, they are old enough”.

Like Will Hughes, Bennett is ready to go and if let off the chain for a few starts could go off like a bomb as he is given orders to stamp his name on McClaren’s team sheet.

Another option would be to move Jamie Ward up front and give the long suffering Michael Jacobs a chance to stand up instead of sitting down for most of the match. Ward is a proven goal scorer and would be ideal but only if Jacobs fills the role that Ward played so brilliantly against Leeds.

If the injury situation did worsen - we also have Callum Ball who has recently returned from a loan spell at Torquay United and immediately put up his hand for attention with a brace for the Rams U19's team. Despite not being a raging success in the past, Ball has shown glimpses of potential and maybe under a new coaching team will deliver on his promise.

The opportunity will be important to the recipient as not only will Russell be returning soon, McClaren has cast his net by signing Spurs forward Simon Dawkins on loan which means competition for the spot will only increase. Taking the bull by the horns... or should I say Hornets by the stinger .... will be a must for the player promoted.

So who should McClaren hand the spot?

For me it’s Mason Bennett and frankly I will be very surprised if it is not.

It’s time to give the youngster a start and not just for the one match. If I was Steve McClaren I would tell him that he has the four matches that Johnny Russell will miss and to go out and make the most of it.

Take away the threat of a 'one match only' chance on which his spot may hinge, instead let the youngster feel like he has a few matches to get his groove and hopefully goals. With so many potential goal scorers around him, if he didn't fire immediately, someone else should be able to pick up the slack.

On past form, Steve McClaren seems just the type of manager who would give the youngster a call up, especially one who is now a proven goalscorer for each England's U21's clash. If he is good enough for England at that level, he is good enough for the Rams.

His age really should not be an issue as Bennett doesn’t look like he needs baby sitting and frankly in recent weeks looks more like bullying defenders than vice versa.

If he does need support, then he has the likes of Bryson, Eustace, Ward and Martin to turn to. Experienced players like that will be the equivalent of cotton wool, protecting him and taking much focus off him, especially with the spotlight firmly on Will Hughes, Bennett may just slip under the radar as they focus on the boy wonder and Bryson who is also in red hot form.

If Mason does get his chance on Saturday, then once he is in, it will be up to him to convince those who matter that he deserves to stay there.

If he wants inspiration then he only needs to look as far as Hughes and if he can emulate his fellow teenage sensation, DCFC may need to build a new stand hust to house visiting scouts.

Photo: Action Images

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