The usually dependable quartet of Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie and Alex Scott all have not had full pre-seasons.
Adams and Scott both had extended breaks due to playing in international tournaments after last season ended, while Christie has been continuing his recovery from surgery in April and Cook picked up an injury at the start of pre-season.
Read more:
So, Iraola has been forced to try different things in midfield, and said that he has been pleased to see how different players have operated there.
Tavernier has played as an eight, while Traore has operated as a six – and development squad product Ben Winterburn has had a lot of gametime across the summer, too.
(Image: Richard Crease) With Adams and Scott now back and fit, and with Christie nearing a return, Tavernier and Traore may not be needed in those positions for much longer, but the boss was happy that they had performed while stepping in.
He told the Daily Echo: “I think sometimes you have to play players there because you don't have [options], because we if we had probably Tyler since the beginning, Lewis Cook doesn't get injured, Ryan Christie, Alex Scott since the beginning, probably we don't try these things and we don't put, Junior as a six or Tav as an eight.
“But we haven't had them for a lot of games. So let's see the positive thing.
“And we've tried with these players in different positions, even with Ben, and I think it has helped us. I think it's good for the players.
(Image: Richard Crease) “Not that now Tavernier is never going to play in the wings. He's a winger, you know.
“But it's good that we know he's doing a job there inside and even Junior in more defensive positions, different things.”
Traore was on loan last season at Auxerre and he, along with Philip Billing who was at Napoli for the second half of the season, were among a group of loanees who may have been moved on this summer.
Mark Travers, Neto, Jaidon Anthony and Joe Rothwell have all had permanent moves this summer – but Traore and Billing have played more of a role in Iraola’s preparations.
(Image: Richard Crease) Asked about the pair and if they were in his plans for the upcoming season, Iraola said: “I don't know what's going to happen with them. I really don't know.
“Right now, they are our players. I think they've done a good job, good pre-season. Obviously I'm thinking on them for the next game against Liverpool and they are definitely in my plans but this isn’t a guarantee 100 per cent that they are not going to leave.
“I don't know how it's going to evolve, the market. I would say almost with any player you cannot guarantee, the way football is going now. It is difficult to guarantee with anyone.”