The Carling Cup has become an arena for Premier League clubs to provide their young players with competitive first team football.

Cesc Fabregas is perhaps the most famous individual to have been brought up on this technique.

We take a look at 10 hotly-tipped Premier League stars of the future currently being groomed by their teams...

Arsenal - Jack Wilshere (born 1 January 1992)
One of the most high profile young players in England at the moment, at still 17 Jack Wilshere has been tipped for a rapid rise into the top level of world footballers. While he is in the Arsenal first team squad, he played more football in the under-18s and reserves last year, coming into first team games generally as a substitute. He has been a key part of Arsene Wenger's Cup Kids' and reaffirmed that status on Wednesday in the Carling Cup. The midfielder has been compared by many to Wayne Rooney, in terms of the massive potential he has and his confidence with the ball despite his age.

Aston Villa - Fabian Delph (born 21 November 1989)
The young midfielder was signed by Aston Villa in the summer of 2009 from Leeds United. During the 2008/9 season he attracted attention from many Premier League clubs as he began to play regularly for the Leeds first team but stayed the whole season and maintained his impressive form. The pacy midfielder demonstrated both his dribbling and shooting ability as he netted several stunning long range strikes as well as the goal of the season with a long run and finish. He is a bright hope for the future of English football.

Blackburn Rovers - Gavin Gunning (born 26 January 1991)
Gavin Gunning is one of the hottest young talents at Blackburn at the moment. The strong defender joined the club in January 2006 and progressed rapidly through the youth set-up and is now on the fringes of the first team despite his age. He has represented Ireland up to under-19 level and should go on to earn full international honours.

Chelsea - Gael Kakuta (born 23 March 1991)
Gael Kakuta's ability has been somewhat overshadowed by the controversy that surrounds him and his move to Chelsea. In his first reserve game the skilful left-footed midfielder impressed Michael Ballack so much he told journalists to go and watch him. He was voted Academy Player of the Year in his first season at the club and was the top scorer in the youth side. Dubbed by some in France as the new Zidane, he suffered a setback when he fractured his ankle in two places in February, but came back so well that Carlo Ancelotti added him to the club's Champions League squad in September.

Everton - Jose Baxter (born 7 February 1992)
Jose Baxter follows in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney as another young Everton player tipped to become a world class talent. He can play in midfield or attack and has a good eye for goal, scoring his first goal for the senior side in a friendly against Nottingham Forest in 2008 when he was still 16. Under the guidance of David Moyes, who showed with Rooney that he knows how to nurture young talent, Baxter could become a star for club and country.

Liverpool - Krisztian Nemeth (born 5 January 1989)
The young Hungarian striker has been widely tipped for great things and is held in high esteem by the Liverpool coaching staff. He arrived at Anfield in 2007 after an impressive UEFA under 17s championship. His finishing, movement and touch saw him bag two goals on his reserve debut and the scoring continued throughout the season. His progress was slowed in 2008/9 by several injuries but he played well in the first team pre-season tour of Asia in 2009 where he scored twice against Singapore.

Manchester United - Adem Ljajic (born 29 September 1991)
This Serbian midfielder has the potential to be one of the best talents of his generation. Although Manchester United signed him in January 2009 he will not join them officially from his club Partizan until 2010, but he will go to Manchester frequently for training. With his superb technical ability, vision and dribbling skills he can play in most positions in attack and has been dubbed 'Little Kaka' by the Serbian press. If he can continue to progress as he has and fulfil his great potential he will undoubtedly be a world class player.

Manchester City - Vladimir Weiss (born 30 November 1989)
The young Slovakian midfielder is expected to be pushing for a first team place in the City squad this season. He sprung to prominence in the 2007/8 FA Youth Cup, which City won, and has since then made one competitive appearance for the club as a substitute and played a full 90 minutes in a friendly against Barcelona. The youngster already has 3 Slovakia caps to his name and is another individual who could go on to great things.

Tottenham Hotspur – Adel Taarabt (born 24 May 1989)
Adel Taarabt is a Moroccan international already despite his young age. He joined Tottenham in January 2007 from Lens on loan and the deal was made permanent in June. Taarabt has not yet started a first team game for Tottenham but has often made an impact from the bench. He plays either as a striker or winger and has already appeared 5 times for Morocco and scored twice. Harry Redknapp said his dribbling skills were fantastic and comparable to the top players in the Premier League. He is however by no means the finished article and it remains to be seen if he can fulfil his clear potential.

West Ham - Junior Stanislas (born 26 November 1989)
The young winger, having been at West Ham since the age of 11, started receiving more attention after his England under-19 appearance in 2007. He has a well-rounded attacking game, combining pace and power with a good long shot and ability from set-pieces. He has appeared several times for West Ham and over time could develop into a very effective first team winger. He is another promising talent who could well feature heavily in the England team in the future.