I think he’s a future prospect. Thrust in early, and one that demonstrates the forward thinking of the manager/Coach.
Hedges May not be here towards the end of the season due to Welsh commitments and if Thiam gets injured we now have a player that has had a few run outs.
Good thinking ..... an old manager of mine gave me a good piece of advice as I progressed amd that was to always have an apprentice coming up strong behind your best employee. He didn’t watch football, never talked it, but the only phrase he ever spoke mildly related to football was not to rely on subs on the bench, but to constantly look for the the next “Sub on the bench” as other Managers would always pinch your best people, and you were only as good as the people who worked with you.