Town boss Paul Jewell says he faces the hardest task in football management in the next few weeks when he decides which of the 11 first and second-year professionals to keep on at Portman Road. Jewell says he has pretty much made up his mind on which of the youngsters will remain at the club for the 2011/12 campaign.

The 11 are striker Ronan Murray, who is on loan at Torquay, keeper Ian McLoughlin, who is with Stockport at present, winger Reggie Lambe, at Bristol Rovers until the end of the season, Luke Hyam, Troy Brown, Tom Eastman, Jack Ainsley, Connor Hourihane, David Cawley, Jamie Griffiths and Billy Clark.

Jewell will also have to make decisions on the academy’s second-year scholars, including midfielder or striker Josh Carson, who recently made his first team debut, defenders Josh Meekings and Rory McKeown, striker Caolan Lavery, keeper Cody Cropper and midfielder Cormac Burke.

The Town boss told the club site: "We have got to make some really tough decisions with the younger players in the next few weeks.

"It's always the hardest job for a manager, letting kids go but I have got to try and do the right thing for the club.

"It's a horrible part of the job but if we are not going to keep players, if it's not going to happen for them here then we will try and help them find a new club and get their career going elsewhere."

Jewell says he already pretty much knows who will be at Portman Road next season: “More or less. I just need to have a meeting with one or two of the academy people, but we’ve made up our minds really.

“I’ve been impressed with the attitude and everything and it’s obviously a tough time because you let kids go at 18 or 19 and you hope that they go on and prove you’re wrong.”

Photo: Action Images

JoshTheLad added 13:30 - Mar 31 Please keep Hyam, Brown, Lambe and Eastman
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cornishnick added 13:38 - Mar 31 I think Reggie will probably be gone. Hyam, Brown and Murray should stay, maybe Eastman too
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Garv added 13:49 - Mar 31 Eastman could be the new McAuley, I like Brown, Murray has to be kept surely, Hyam could be special. I wouldn't know about the others.
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KangarooBlue added 13:59 - Mar 31 Hyam has to stay, Eastman, Brown, Lambe and Murray also. Josh Carson and Cody Cropper look like future prospects
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trueblue1970 added 13:59 - Mar 31 Hyam,Eastman,Cropper and Clark I would keep
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clive_baker added 14:01 - Mar 31 Eastman is quality at CB, every bit as promising as Smith if not more so in my opinion. Troy Brown's opportunities look limited especially if Delaney and Macauley sign up. Murray should be given 1 more year. Not that bothered about any of the others.
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BlueinBrum added 14:36 - Mar 31 It's quite a nice problem to have though I suppose, we seem to have quite a good crop of youngsters coming through at the moment. The future's bright...?
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Lightningboy added 14:43 - Mar 31 Hyam is a no-brainer..surely?
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itfc1981 added 14:48 - Mar 31 Worried Jewell has not given Hyam any game time yet. Hope that does not mean anything
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DJ_Kesgrave added 15:08 - Mar 31 Well done Pj, the best way to get a look at players at the fag end of a season is to send them out on loan. Yes they need games but why not try them in our first team, then you might really find something out. I can see a quite few youngsters going to be replaced by some "experienced pro's" . Pity, especially as our scouts couldn't spot a donkey form a race horse.
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StowTractorBoy added 15:41 - Mar 31 I am totally bemused by the fact that Luke Hyam has not figured since the beginning of the season. He was absolutely outstanding in those early games and one of the bright spots of the Keane era. I will be very disappointed if he is not signed up and surprised he has not figured under PJ. The rest are all much of a muchness.
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brian_a_mul added 16:15 - Mar 31 Keep Eastman, Cropper or McLaughlin, Hyam, Murray, Carson, Lambe, Hourihane and Eastman or Brown. TBH I cant see them keeping both keepers as we already have ALB, Fulop & Murphs if he signs. Also Eastman & Brown would be competing with Smith & Carson for back up CB.I think Carson will be kept (got first game reently and did well) but maybe Brown will be let go (Eastman is a local lad and that may make a difference).

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PunchNoHopers added 16:54 - Mar 31 If Delaney and MccAuley both sign new contracts, I expect they will keep Tommy Smith (but they could get a fee for him if they don't), but then realistically we will only keep either Eastman or Brown, though my money would be on Eastman. Mind you I've been impressed too with Brown at Centre Half (not right back), so guess if MacAuley decides to move elsewhere they might then keep Brown as well as Eastman.

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Blu added 17:33 - Mar 31 I am a Hyam fan, but he has gone backwards in the last half of the season. At this moment it is doubtful whether he is worth another contract. Frankly, I wouldn't keep any of the young players. If Jewell is not going to play them, it is better if they move on.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:34 - Mar 31 Hyam , Murray,Lambe,Eastman .
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Ipswich24 added 18:08 - Mar 31 Murray,Carson,Hyam,Lambe and Brown would keep
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harlingblue added 18:35 - Mar 31 Hyam. Eastman are musts, Brown has done well in the centre...we haven't had much chance to judge the rest as they have had even less chance to stamp a team place since PJ arrived.
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Mungo added 18:52 - Mar 31 We will need a good squad next year and the young players will be an important part of that. I think PJ should try to keep Hyam, Murray, Lambe, Brown, Eastman, Carson, Lavery and either Cropper or McLoughlin
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ipswichwag3 added 19:55 - Mar 31 Blu - how can you say that Hyam has gone backwards if he hasn't been given any time on pitch? Hyam, Murray, Eastman and Brown are the most important to keep I think. Then if possible Carson and Lambe as they are good prospects for our club.
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Brockleyblue added 00:10 - Apr 1 Keep Murray, Brown, Hyam and Carson. Saynonara, I'm afraid, to the rest.
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devontractorboy added 00:11 - Apr 1 There's a bloke called Clegg who needs to go!
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BurleyForever added 07:50 - Apr 1 I can't see PJ letting Carson go as he's talking about using him upfront with Conner W. I agree with Mungo on the young players we should keep.
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