Stoke City U23 coach Glyn Hodges expects to loan out several of their young players in January.
The door is open to loan them out during the January window now that the club has exited the Checkatrade Trophy following Wednesday's defeat at Bury.
"They are in the window," says under-23 boss Glyn Hodges. “People will be watching it and even Bury themselves.
“While we want to progress as an under-21 squad to get to the next stage, individually they are in the shop window.
“If they are not performing at this level they are not going to be wanted. It's good for them. It's pressure for them and they know they've got to respond."
Meanwhile, Hodges says he'd like the club continue to play in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Chairman Peter Coates has already said he remains a supporter of Stoke's involvement.
Hodges said: “It's a stiff learning curve. We've had six games now and we have got better, grown into it and been in a better position than last year going into games.
“So you can see there's an improvement, but it still leaves you wanting more and you can see that we've left something out there."