The former academy graduate will be back in his home city this weekend

Keane Lewis-Potter will make his first return to Hull City since leaving more than four years ago on Sunday, when he lines up for Brentford.

The return of Lewis-Potter is significant on many levels, not least because he's a shining light of the work being done at the club's academy at Bishop Burton, and remains a hugely popular figure at the club.

Born in Hull, Lewis-Potter came through the club's academy before making his debut in 2019 against Millwall in an FA Cup tie, and in truth, his emergence was one of the few highlights from the season, which saw them relegated to League One, but his performances were a key part of the Tigers winning the League One title the next year and returning to the Championship.

Brentford had been scouting him for a while, and eventually, Thomas Frank got his man. In truth, Lewis-Potter has not looked back since moving to West London, proving himself as a Premier League player.

On Sunday, he'll make his 122nd Premier League appearance at the age of 25, and for those youngsters watching from the MKM Stadium stands, Lewis-Potter is the example to follow.

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The new breed of youngsters coming through the Tigers' academy has it tough. City are now a Premier League club, and the challenge to break into a squad competing at that level is tougher than it's ever been. The club spent more than £150m on new recruits in the summer, and they'll go again next summer, if they remain in the top flight, presenting a major obstacle for young players.

Players arriving are of a significant standard. Morita, Christos Mouzakitis, and Kostas Tzolakis have all played in the Champions League. Nobel Mendy, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Tim Iroegbunam and Brooke Norton-Cuffy have vast experience of playing in La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League and Serie A, while Lucas Herrington arrived off the back of competing in the World Cup.

That makes life difficult for academy players, and in truth, far more challenging than it is to break into a League One side. When City suffered the humiliation of relegation during the Covid-hit campaign in 2020, money was tight. The academy proved to be a huge benefit on the pitch, and then following Acun Ilicali's takeover, it brought in valuable cash to not only smooth his takeover, but also generate crucial funds for a club in desperate need.

Lewis-Potter played 43 times in League One for City, and notched up 67 in the Championship before getting his chance in the Premier League. He had a very good bank of work behind him before he got his move to the Premier League. Not only did he show his qualities, but also his determination to play regularly, and crucially, his durability in being able to stay fit.

Not only Lewis-Potter, but also Jarrod Bowen went on to have stellar careers in the top flight and play for their country, while Jacob Greaves has played 30 games in the big league after emerging from the academy. They've done the hard yards and earned their place.

Success in football is often decided by a moment of brilliance, a refereeing decision, a post or bar here and there. Had Matt Crooks not scored at Portsmouth, City would likely have been relegated, and the academy would have been expected to play a massive role in helping again during the League One season. As it was, the course of history has since changed remarkably, and the club are competing at the top level, where standards have never, ever been higher.

That presents young players with a challenge, and one that is very different to what it might have been. They have to be better, they have to live better, play better and prove that they can compete. When they're given a chance to train at Cottingham, as happens regularly, they must take it. That must focus the mind if they're to fulfil their dream.

They must learn from how players in the Premier League train, how the rest recover and the incredible discipline it takes to not just play at that level, but sustain it, succeed and enjoy a career.

Speaking at the 1904 Club's live event on Tuesday night, Under-21 assistant boss David Meyler highlighted the work he does in trying to help players prepare for their opportunity to train with the first team. There's nobody better to deliver their knowledge and experience. He's been there and done it.

Jakirovic, who has a son trying to make his way in the professional game, knows first hand how important youth is, and throughout his tenure so far, has done his best to involve the youngsters. Whether that's Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, Stan Ashbee, Cathal McCarthy or Nathan Tinsdale, they've had their moments and are now out playing games. It's up to them to prove they have the quality to perform at Premier League level.

It's not going to be easy, but nor should it. The Premier League has some of the very best players in world football, and to call yourself a Premier League player, you have to do something different, be special, and if that opportunity comes, grasp it with both hands.

"All these three (Lewis-Potter, Greaves and Bowen) players got a chance with Hull City in the Championship, and then the club sold them for good money because they are good players," Jakirovic told Hull Live when asked about the challenge for the youngsters to step up to the mark.

"If you have potential, we're watching everything, so we know everything. I have Andy Dawson there. I know everything about the Under-21 players. You have to train hard because we're also inviting them to our training sessions, especially when we have injuries.

"They are with us, so we know everything, and everything is on them, how they perform. Every pre-season, we have some players there, but those players, you mentioned, are very bad players, ha ha. I'm joking. They are very good players."

Since moving to the capital, Lewis-Potter has become a player capable of operating in different positions and while some would see that as a negative in not having a fixed position, Jakirovic believes it shows his versatility and, crucially, adaptability. Keith Andrews and Frank, before him, value him highly. You don't play that number of games if you are not a player of real quality.

"He can play as a No.8, No.10. In the last game (2-1 loss to Liverpool, where he scored), he played left full-back, which is very interesting because he is right-footed. He is very dangerous in the opponent's box; he can score."

Lewis-Potter should be the beacon of light for City's young players to look up to now. Proof that with hard work, dedication and a little bit of luck here and there, it can be done, but it starts with playing games and doing all the right things on and off the pitch.

One of City's own has gone on to enjoy a fine career. Playing over 100 Premier League games at just 25 is a mark of how well Lewis-Potter has handled himself, and for the Tigers' next generation, proof that it can happen.

For Lewis-Potter, coming back home to play against his club in the Premier League will be a huge source of pride for so many, even if perhaps it's tinged with a little bit of regret that he's not doing it in Black and Amber. Maybe one day he will get to fulfil that dream.