Out-of-favour Shane O’Connor has conceded that he may have to leave Portman Road in order to play regular football. The 21-year-old was left out of the 23-man squad which travelled to Holland for the pre-season tour last week with his only appearance under Paul Jewell’s management coming as a 74th minute sub in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg defeat at Arsenal.

O’Connor, who turned down a loan move to Hereford United last November, says he’s happy at Town but is realistic about his prospects: “I want to be playing for Ipswich and I will keep knocking on the door of the squad and the first team.

“I think I could do well in the Championship but different managers like different things and you have to respect that.

“I am not really sure what is going to happen. I am at an age where I want and need to be playing.”

The Republic of Ireland U21 international, who has made 15 starts and seven sub appearances for the Blues, has another year remaining on his contract. A player with Roy Keane's old Rockmount club as a youngster, O'Connor joined Town after a trial in the summer of 2009 having been released by Liverpool’s academy during the previous campaign.

Meanwhile, Doncaster striker Billy Sharp continues to be linked with the Blues in the wake of Town making an offer for a third new frontman of the summer. Boss Paul Jewell was still waiting for a response from the mystery player’s club as of Thursday evening, while an initial bid for a winger had been turned down.

Former Sheffield United man Sharp was the subject of an unsuccessful £2.3 million offer earlier in the summer, Jewell subsequently turning his attention to Michael Chopra and ruling out further overtures for the 25-year-old, who recently opted against a £3.25 million switch to Southampton.

Earlier in the week, the Doncaster media dismissed claims that Sharp and James Coppinger, also the subject of a previous Town bid, were the targets of Town’s more recent two offers.

Photo: Action Images

algarvefan added 09:18 - Jul 17 Why not PJ...Give the lad a chance in pre-season at least.
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Hunterssecondball added 09:26 - Jul 17 Beggar's belief really! Whenever I or my son or his mates have seen him play he always catches the eye with his infectious mood, attitude and general all round ability. Always disapointed when not in the team let alone the squad. Realy would be good to know WHY he doesn't even appear to be "knocing on the door" atm. Can think of a few players in the current squad I'd show the door, to open the door for O'Connor

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bobble added 09:42 - Jul 17 get rid hes a spy for the dark lord
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bobble added 09:42 - Jul 17 get rid hes a spy for the dark lord
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fourth added 12:06 - Jul 17 As someone who knows NOT a LOT about him, it is REALLY GOOD to see so many positive messages. Bobble will come down from his trip by Christmas and yes the Irish connection is there B, but you shouldn't be so terrified by conspiracy theories.Peace. Don't hit me. Good philosophy.
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churchmans added 16:47 - Jul 17 he aint good enough TRACTORBEEZER! you must be acclimatised to average football over the last 4/5 seasons if you get a hard on watching him play! and i think the manager now a damn site more than you regarding players and there abilities than you! i wouldnt say there right 100% of the time maybe 95% so stop your winjing and accept it the team of last season and before is riddled with poor to average players which is why pj has signed so many. i still cant get over why you geting your Y fronts in a twist over an average player! yes he shown promise but if ya cant get in then see ya and move on.

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h32 added 17:50 - Jul 17 ........... I guess he's the wrong side of 30 for the Manager's liking - too many youngster's at the Club would be totally against the way he seems to think - bizarre to my way of thinking.
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churchmans added 23:46 - Jul 17 agree in a way but what everybody needs to know is that marcus evans and pj there number one goal is to get to the premiership as quick as possible and if the players are not experienced or unless there super talented then players like o'connor will strugle. we aint got time to baby sit and bring youngsters through into the first team so people get a phucking grip! we gota get in the prem first then we got to stay there then we try and babysit these kids and keep you idiots happy jees

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TractorBeezer added 03:02 - Jul 18 churchmans 1.We have different opinions...fair enough but rather than winging I see an opportunity for advocacy. The majority here can see what Shane has to offer. The other difference is that you choose to express your opinion in an abrasive manner. 2 "we aint got time to baby sit and bring youngsters through into the first team so people get a phucking grip! we gota get in the prem first then we got to stay there then we try and babysit these kids and keep you idiots happy jees" We'll have a squad of around 30...a balance of experience and youth I expect.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:41 - Jul 18 Where do some of you get this "attitude issue" idea from? If the following quote is correct, then S. O'C's attitude seems spot on to me: “I think I could do well in the Championship but different managers like different things and you have to respect that." Isn't is just a question of not fitting into P. J's system? If you can only have about 22 first squad players, somone is going to miss out (which I agree is unfortunate in this case).

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Surco72 added 11:00 - Jul 18 If O Connor is as good as everyone thinks then he will have no trouble finding another club and Jewell will have to live with himself if O Connor goes on to better things personally . I am one who does not think this will happen hard work and eagerness will only take you so far but week in and week out it is about talent and if Keane and Jewell dont think he has enough then i back their opinion more than people who have seen him in handful of games in a struggling side . The same as Peters dropped by Magilton,Keane and Jewell maybe he just isnt that good however hard he tries ?

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Lombokblue added 11:16 - Jul 18 Football Managers seem unable to explain to players what their situation is. Their favourite management tools for motivating seem to be "the cold shoulder" and "don't give him a chance". O'Connor is only 20, he should be told whether he has to improve or what he has to do to get back in the team or if the manager doesn't think he's going to be good enough, then he can look for another team. Instead he is in a sort of limbo land.

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churchmans added 11:50 - Jul 18 CARSEY your opinion is shiit thats my opinion
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churchmans added 12:02 - Jul 18 TRACTORBREEZER what has advocacy got to do with s o c? his either good enough or not good enough! what has he got to offer?? eh you dont know do ya? you cannot give a straight answer well let me tell ya 1 he aint no tarrico! 2 he aint better than kennedy when fit 3 as good as peters who can play on left and he is average 4 will be signing better players before start of season 5 isnt creswell leftback and left footed? 6 go and get your shinebox and shine my shoes CHURCHMANS (speaker of truth and facts)

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blue_em_away added 12:22 - Jul 18 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Check you!!
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joshberry94 added 12:48 - Jul 18 i don't see why PJ has brought in another LB. we already have 3 decent players in that position and was probably the healthiest position in the team regarding decent backup (Whight and O'Connor). now i think shane has to go as it is not possible to satisfy all four in that one position and still have continuity in the squad. IMO there are areas in the team that require much more urgent strengthening (e.g. CM and Wide Players) and where players can be brought in without in the process shutting out a more than decent young player, as in S O'C's case. he is better a than 4th choice LB at championship level and really deserves the chance to move on and prove himself at this level or at L1 level.

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DashluvsITFC added 23:02 - Jul 18 Be a real shame if he were to leave..as never been given a chance... worth a go on the left hand side of midfield i'd say...certainly looked tidy in previous games and committed...cresswell supporting him down the left could be interesting...don't blame him for his comments...honest footballers want to be playing....COYB!!!!!!!!!!
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