Blues boss Paul Jewell says one or two younger members of his squad could get their chance before the end of the season, but that they’ll have to earn that opportunity just like anyone else. The Town manager won’t be making wholesale changes to his side with the Blues still in with an outside shout of making the play-offs.

Jewell said: “If we win seven games we might get in the play-offs. It’s not impossible. But between now and the end of the season we will have a look at a few different players and no doubt a couple of the young ones will come in. That isn’t in question.

“What people don’t really understand is the players’ desire, it hurts them when they don’t play and I want that. I don’t want people just happy to have a rest. OK, they have to accept it and we don’t want people sulking because over 46 games we have to [give people a rest at times].

“I’m aware that people who are in the team don’t want to be out of the team, but I think between now and the end of the season there will be one or two surprises or one or two lads will go in to see how they can handle the big stage.”

Left-back Joe Whight, who was an unused sub on a few occasions at the end of the last season, could be one player to get a run-out, along with his fellow second-year scholar, Callum Bennett. The right-back recently joined Whight in being offered a professional contract.

Schoolboy midfielder Byron Lawrence, 16, was included as a sub for the Carling Cup tie against Northampton early in the season and might be another who gets his chance.

American keeper Cody Cropper has only just returned from injury but could well be included as a sub keeper at some stage before the end of the campaign.

The likes of Josh Carson, Luke Hyam and Jack Ainsley will be hoping to add to their senior appearances.

But Jewell warns that they will have to show they’re worth that opportunity: “We’re not just going to give people a game because they’re young. To put an Ipswich Town shirt on you’ve got to earn that right.”

The Liverpudlian says that despite the season probably being over from a competitive perspective, there’ll not be any slacking: “We prepare for this game like we do every game. We want to win it, we want to be positive and we’re aware that people pay good money to watch us and we intend to give our best whatever stage of the season it is.

“We want a good atmosphere and we’ve got to generate that on the pitch. It’s no good people turning up and us not giving them something to shout about.”

Photo: Action Images

walberswick added 09:23 - Mar 31 “If we win seven games we still won't get in the play-offs. It's impossible"
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BillBlue added 09:52 - Mar 31 Highly unlikely Walberswick but certainly not impossible. COYB
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ITFC4daprem added 10:55 - Mar 31 Cropper Whight Lawernson Murray Hyam Carson all in ASAP
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Paddy39 added 10:55 - Mar 31 But between now and the end of the season we will have a look at a few different players and no doubt a couple of the young ones will come in. Can just see Rik Mayall playing through the centre for us.
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Vic added 11:57 - Mar 31 With the team doing as well as it is at the moment it's difficult to see a case for putting to many of the youngsters in in one go. In my opinion it would be better to blood a the likes of Callum Bennett and Joe Whight given a run out as they are two positions we need replacements or back up for. I wouldn't bother too much with Hyam, Carson & Murray as we pretty much know what they can do.

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itfc1981 added 11:58 - Mar 31 Hyam has earnt the right, but still you overlook him.
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Lightningboy added 14:33 - Mar 31 Totally agree itfc1981. What exactly has Bowyer (and Leadbitter uptil the last 4 or 5 games) done all season?
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arc added 14:49 - Mar 31 There's precious little point in putting Cropper in as the sub goalie. Give him a couple of matches (once he's fully back from injury).
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newtownfan13 added 14:58 - Mar 31 No hope of getting into the play-offs so why not play Carson and Hyam????? Is Jewell afraid of them scoring goals and making him look stupid as he seems to play the golden oldies who, at the minute, are looking a bit more than 'jaded' IMO........sign the youngsters up and them leave them out of the squad, why bother signing them, one for the future, what does that mean 's*** all' IMO

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Sindre94 added 16:42 - Mar 31 I dont click these posts because of negative fans like you newtownfan13 , It demotivates me... IN JEWELL WE TRUST!
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newboy added 17:27 - Mar 31 newtown fan you are right but people dont like to hear it PJ is only interested in his golden oldies when people get on his case about the youngsters he throws out a few sentences to keep everyone quiet. While I agree we need LB and RB cover and the two boys should be given a go as we have nothing to lose I believe we have more chance of winning the lottery than PJ putting them both out. We may as well save the money and shut the academy while he is here the only hope we have is if next season is his last

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townietilidie added 07:49 - Apr 1 So if you are young you have to earn your chance ? thats fair play .... But if you are old and past your best and bring naff all to the team you get given that chance without having to earn it ??? Has luke Hyam not earned his chance this season ? Was the herioc performances of Josh Carson last season not enough to put him in contention for a place in the squad this season ??? And although there has been a small improvement in JET from the start of the season i hardly think he earns his place . Potentionaly a very good player but i dont think i have ever ever seen a pro as lazy as what he is . Just imagine what he could be on the wing if you could drop just a half of Lee martins energy into him .

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