Leicester City's academy teams started their 2026/27 seasons over the weekend as the next generation of talent at Seagrave returned to action. The Foxes Under-21s ended their campaign with a Premier League 2 play-off final defeat to Tottenham at the end of April after finishing ninth in the table - their highest finish since the restructure of the development league format in 2023. Leon McSweeney's side will compete in four competitions this season, with the National League Cup offering exposure against senior players. City face National League sides Sutton United, Woking and Boston United in the competition, as well as National League South outfit Truro City, with all four games being played away from home. In our first edition of LeicestershireLive's Academy Notebook, a new addition to our Premium subscription, we take a look at the start of the season, what's to come and some details on the latest loan business... All the latest Leicester City news on LeicestershireLive’s Leicester City Facebook page! You can also join our WhatsApp Community by clicking HERE. Comfortable victory in season opener On Friday night, the Under-21s eased to a 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the Premier League Cup. After falling behind inside 10 minutes, City responded to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to Hugo De Lisle and Michael Golding. Riley Carr, on the back of his impressive pre-season, was too good for full-back Jared Rendle and his dangerous ball across goal was met by De Lisle. Golding then showed great individual skill to wriggle into space before smashing the ball into the bottom corner from outside the area. An own goal from Sam Hayman made sure of the win with over 20 minutes to go. City played similarly to Russell Martin's team, particularly in their shape with two attacking midfielders in front of a deep-lying six. Golding and Le Lisle were their two main players in build-up, with Lorenz Hutchinson and Riley Carr enjoying space behind the defence. Romanian David Anugo, who signed a scholarship at the club last year, made his Under-21s debut off the bench, while Canadian youth international Will Daniels came off the bench and provided the cross that led to Hayman's own goal. Martin and his coaching staff were watching from the balcony at the training ground. Conor Hourihane, Andy King and Rhys Owen all watched on, joining Jon Rudkin and other members of staff. Louis Page, Jayden Joseph and Bade Aluko all watched the opening stages of the game before reappearing with other members of the first-team squad, including Sammy Braybrooke, Will Alves, Harry Souttar and Luke Thomas. Carr and Neale loan decisions Although Plymouth are a level below City's Under-21s, Carr and Neale continued to look impressive. The winger repeatedly beat his defender for pace down the right, mixing his game up by coming short and darting into space. He scored late on, but it was ruled out for offside. Neale played exactly as Martin used him throughout pre-season, orchestrating play in the middle of the park and halting Plymouth attacks. His first instinct was to take the ball on the half-turn and ping it to the more advanced playmakers. Ultimately, both look too good for Under-21 level, and a loan is the best next option for their development. "So each player will be different and we'll have to assess it over the next couple of weeks, but we're really clear on what certain players need," Martin told Leicestershir