The Whites chief has praised new rules introduced by the Football League and Premier League which encourage home-grown players to be pushed through the ranks.
From next season top-flight clubs will be obliged to have at least eight players trained in England and Wales in their 25-man squads, with a minimum of 10 for Football League sides.
This is a problem for the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, but Newcastle are well within the rules, having the likes of Andy Carroll, Joey Barton, Alan Smith, Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Wayne Routledge and Danny Simpson ... and that is EIGHT just off the top of my head.
Bates: "I read somewhere that the Premier League have sent 172 players of different nationalities to the World Cup and that is obviously stifling the growth of home-grown kids.
"It is significant that since 2003 Chelsea have not brought one single English player into their first-team squad and similar situations apply to other clubs.
"This is going to put a limit on the unlimited imports of foreign players.
"This is an idea both the Premier League and the Football League are trying to implement to encourage the growth of youngsters and give them a better chance."