Birch shows 'huge potential' in first EFL start

George Birch had an impressive full debut in the EFL against Rotherham United [Shutterstock] Exeter City manager Matt Taylor says winger George Birch could be the next star player to come out of the club's academy. The 20-year-old made his first league start for the Grecians on Saturday and set up Anthony Scully's goal in the 1-0 win over Rotherham United. Birch announced himself in senior football in January with a spectacular strike in Exeter's FA Cup third round loss at Manchester City. And this season he has made 10 appearances in all competitions, also starting in both Jersey Mike's Trophy group matches. Taylor says he could have a similar impact on the club to Joel Randall, who came up through the ranks before leaving to join Peterborough United in a deal with more than £1m in 2021. "He's got huge potential," Taylor told BBC Sport. "He's up there with the Joel Randall's of the world, the ones who are put in the team in the past and moved on to being established first team players and then assets for the football club. "But he's got to learn an awful lot as well and that's one thing where I've maybe protected him a little bit this season because the team haven't been fully functioning and haven't been a real force. "I think with Josh Gordon and Anthony Scully in that front three so to speak I could put him on the pitch and trust him. "He's still going to be inconsistent, he's still going to have highs and lows, but he's got to find a way of being our hardest working player, the one who sprints more than anyone else because when he gets the ball in an attacking moment there's no-one better." Exeter striker Rose suffers injury blow Danny Rose had played 540 games across a 15-year career [Shutterstock] Meanwhile Exeter will be without striker Danny Rose until at least the start of November after he suffered a broken toe. Rose, 32, moved to Exeter on transfer deadline day from Barrow, signing a two-year deal, and has made five appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the Jersey Mike's Trophy. "He's chipped the bone in his toe so it's a nasty one," Taylor said. "Bones take four to six weeks to heal, especially on his right foot and big toe. "With a different toe you can get away with it in a lesser time frame, but a big toe like that is a real shame, especially on his right foot." Listen to Exeter City content on BBC Sounds