Overview
- Under-21 coach Adam Lawrence, who spoke Friday, said Lacey now trains daily with the first team and only drops to the U21s when he needs game time.
- Lacey’s availability for Tuesday’s Premier League International Cup quarter-final against Real Madrid is undecided because Carrick’s squad is holding a concurrent training camp in Dublin.
- The 18-year-old made his senior debut in December under Ruben Amorim, impressed in short cameos under Darren Fletcher, then served a one-match ban after a late FA Cup red card against Brighton.
- After a minor calf issue, Lacey has fully rejoined first-team training, with staff praising his elite technique and noting his later physical development as a reason for managed minutes.
- He has eight goals in nine Premier League 2 games this season, and former team-mate James Nolan says he is ready to make the step up, as Carrick’s staff back academy ‘marquee’ fixtures when first-team plans allow.