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South African coach Stuart Baxter has been in England casting an eye over a number of potential young stars for the national side as he looks to assess his overseas options for the coming years and refresh the Bafana Bafana squad. In this feature, KweséESPN profile five England-based players who may be on his radar, although some are still working their way towards professional football. TOM BARKHUIZEN (PRESTON NORTH END) Born in Blackpool but with a South African grandfather, Barkhuizen has been a revelation for Preston North End in the Championship. The 24-year-old, who can play on the wing or as a central striker, had eight goals in 40 starts for Preston this season ahead of this weekend after earning a regular spot following a move from League Two Morecombe. Preston look as though they will finish in mid-table in the Championship this season, but may well battle to hold on to one of their prized assets. TYRIQUE BARTLETT (NEWCASTLE UNITED) The son of former Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett, Tyrique has made huge strides at Newcastle this season and has been asked to train with the first team on occasion as manager Rafa Benitez assesses his potential. The 19-year-old is quite a different player from his father, tall and more of a targetman, with his minutes for the Magpies this season coming for the Under-23s. He has already played for the junior national sides for South Africa and is certainly one to watch. THAKGALO LESHABELA (LEICESTER CITY) Leshabela is an attacking midfielder who has featured for the U-23s for Leicester this season, despite primarily being attached to the U-18 side, and is viewed as a player with some promise. The 18-year-old will move up to the next age-group in the new season and will hope that a first-team opportunity is not too far away. He is a combative midfielder, but also chips in with the odd goal, as he showed against Arsenal U-18s last week. KATLEGO MASHIGO (FLEETWOOD TOWN) Mashigo was raised in Dublin, Ireland, but with South African parentage and is currently working his way through the youth structures at League One side Fleetwood Town. The central defender is still only 17 and his progress in the next few years will be interesting as he looks physically imposing and a player who could make the rise to the professional ranks fairly quickly. Bafana Bafana might yet be involved in a tug-of-war with Ireland. SIPH MDLALOSE (SOUTHAMPTON) Mdlalose has been on the national-team radar for some time having come through the youth system at Southampton, where his first-team opportunities have perhaps been stunted by the team's troubles this season. He took a major step forward in his career this season when he was handed a first professional contract by the Saints, but his appearances remain limited to the U-23s. The winger is still only 19, though you get the feeling that next season, in whichever division Southampton find themselves, may be crucial for him. His only goal this season came in a 5-1 win against Newcastle United U-23s, a match in which the aforementioned Bartlett started for the Magpies.
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