Blues boss Paul Jewell says 15-year-old academy schoolboy Byron Lawrence is already pushing for a place in the Town first team. The midfielder, who Jewell compares to Arsenal and England man Jack Wilshere, this week signed a two-year academy scholarship at Playford Road starting next summer.

Jewell says Cambridgeshire-based Lawrence, who was recruited from non-league Histon's youth set-up, is amongst the most promising academy prospects at present: “We’ve got Byron Lawrence, who has trained with the first team and we think is going to be a player.

"We’ve got some good kids who are coming through, first years, some second years. They’re progressing nicely.

“But Byron Lawrence, the lad who was in the squad [for the Carling Cup match] against Northampton, he’s one who is a bright prospect and who reminds me of a Jack Wilshere type player.

“He’s built that way, he uses his body and he’s a clever player. Whenever he trains with the first team he never looks out of place. He could feature this season.”

The Blues manager suggests the youngster, who qualifies to play international football for Italy as well as England, may even be a little cross that he hasn’t already beaten Connor Wickham’s record of making his senior bow at 16 years and 11 days: “Put it this way, if I said to him now ‘you’re a sub at Forest on Saturday’, he’d be a bit annoyed that he was sub.

“That’s his attitude, he takes everything in his stride. He’s a good kid. I think he’ll be a very good player.”

Jewell also cites Joe Whight, who signed a two-year professional contract in the summer, as another who could make the breakthrough this season, although he has competition at left-back: “We’ve got Joe Whight, who I think is going to be a good player. He’s got Cressy and Mark Kennedy ahead of him [at the moment].”

Photo: Action Images

CambsLass added 08:52 - Nov 21 up_the_town4 if you have been regularly watching the U18s then I cannot see why you havent noticed him. Hes been scoring on a regular basis. I watched him play in an U18 game and then play in U16! He has the talent but its like everyone in football, we all notice certain players. Some of the ones you rate I may not as so may many others. He has been noticed by other clubs but if its Ipswich he want to be with then good luck to him & them. Please also bear in mind he is only 15, give him a chance. How many times have you seen a player even men and said he should be playing for England? Im sure his time will come but for now as long as hes playing football hes happy.

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up_the_town4 added 13:33 - Nov 24 CambsLass I think it is very clear we have very different views on football and you are seeing a tottally different game as for scoring on a regular basis I look at this website every week please get your facts right he has been sub most this season for the under 18s. He may be good for hes age I think thats obvious to see but I am talking about 1st team its a totally different thing.

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CambsLass added 23:18 - Nov 24 Well im sure up_the _town 4 you will now see that Byron played for Reserve side in the West Ham game (in which they played 1st teamers!) and was an integral part of the game. I appreciate everyone has different views what a boring world it would be if we didnt! I believe in this lad and feel he deserves the opportunity to show what he is capable of.
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