Heighway said that he believes the Academy is working, and delivering players such as Steven Warnock and Darren Potter who are of first team standard.
He said: "Our main objective at the Academy is to bring through players who are of good enough quality for the senior side. It's always a big thrill to see when one of our boys are given a chance on this stage. We go back so far with them that it means an awful lot to all the staff here. For a boy to progress to the first team he has to be good enough and if he's good enough then there's no reason now why he won't be given a chance."
Heighway added: "Rafa has indicated that he'll be prepared to give youth a chance in the Carling Cup and it would be nice to see them given another against Middlesbrough tonight, especially as the game is at Anfield."
