Stoke City boss Mark Hughes admits Tom Edwards' emergence convinced him to sell Phil Bardsley to Burnley.
Hughes wants to focus more resources on the starting XI – and open a pathway for emerging talent from the Academy like Stafford-born Edwards, aged 18, who came on in last night's friendly defeat at Sheffield United.
"We weren't likely to offer Phil an extension on his (recently-signed 12-month) deal and we've got decent cover there," said Hughes to The Sentinel.
"I've spoken about trying to reduce the amount of senior players and introducing younger players at the top end of the squad. It allows us to maybe invest more fully in the first XI. Phil was obviously part of that thinking and the emergence of Tom Edwards has been really significant.
"We feel that we're happy enough to get Phil to get a longer contract at another club."