Boss Mick McCarthy felt 17-year-old right-back Kyle Hammond was one of those who impressed during the second half of Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Notts County. The Ipswich-born second-year scholar has been a regular member of the pre-season first team squad, along with fellow youngsters Amir Berkane, a midfielder who is also a second year, and left-back David October, a first-year professional.

McCarthy saw the friendly at Meadow Lane as a very much a game of two halves, having made seven changes at the break.

He admits that that didn’t make things easy for the players coming on and believes some players made more of an impression than others: “It’s difficult because they played in a completely changed team.

"When you start from the beginning and the way we did, it’s all cohesive and it looks like a good unit.

“We made the changes and then I’m looking for some of the younger ones and some of them to say ‘Come on gaffer, I’m playing’.

“One of them who was great was Kyle Hammond. He was different class. I love him, he’s a great kid. But I’ve said to one or two others, that’s not going to get in my team, and they know that.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says 18-year-old winger, Jack Doherty, who recently signed from Waterford United, is very much viewed as a player for the future rather than one he expects to make an immediate impact: “He’s one not for now. Jack’s not for now.

“I hope he is, I hope he comes through and flies, but coming from where he’s come from he needs strength and weight programmes, although he’s all right. He’s only a little ‘un but he’s got really good ability.”

Town's U21s are in action in a pre-season friendly against Colchester at Playford Road this afternoon with the public welcome to attend (KO 2pm). Entry is free.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 10:02 - Jul 30 Looked decent when he came on against Colchester last tuesday. He also played the first half as a right mid in the match at Barnet, he gave the ball away a few times but was always chasing it down and looks like a pacey player.
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kevlowestoft added 10:12 - Jul 30 Who are we playing please? Thats been missed out of the report......
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oldelsworthyfan added 10:18 - Jul 30 Great to see these young players coming through and that MM has an 'eye' for talent, knowing when to encourage (and probably letting the ones know that they'll have to pull their socks up if they want to play for him!). Would be interested to know what he thinks about some of the other youngsters?
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ArnieMsBigToe added 10:18 - Jul 30 Kev Lowestoft. Am I being dim or did you mean Notts County??
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kevlowestoft added 10:22 - Jul 30 It says we are in action this afternoon 'against at playford rd'........
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itsonlyme added 10:32 - Jul 30 Kev - we must be playing - Hyde Utd lol
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kevlowestoft added 10:34 - Jul 30 i read it several times and wondered if were going mad.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:50 - Jul 30 Kev: Wondered who is going mad? :)
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ArnieMsBigToe added 10:53 - Jul 30 Whoops. Sorry Kev. Didn't see the last sentence. (Hangs head in shame)
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Karlosius added 10:56 - Jul 30 Col U
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BillBlue added 10:59 - Jul 30 Come on Phil, who are we playing?!
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londonben added 11:11 - Jul 30 So after years of having no recognised right back in our squad (basically since David Wright left) we now have 3 competing for the position and chambers who can cover...got to love big mick!
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Tractorog added 11:20 - Jul 30 OK so we don't need Steerman then.... or is this a negotiating tactic?
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Jimmy86 added 11:58 - Jul 30 Awesome to finally see our famed academy being used once again to bring through the next crop of youngsters. This was sadly missing during the jewell era, seem to remember one summer only one 2nd year was offered a contract, which was turned down. Think it was callum bennett who is on trial with notts county??? Well done MM
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 12:12 - Jul 30 It is the u21's vs Colchester United u21's at Playford Road
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ITFC_Lincoln added 13:23 - Jul 30 Shows what I know...I thought he had a bad game at Notts County, nearly scored a magnificent own goal too!
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JewellintheTown added 13:33 - Jul 30 He's 17! He looks about 30 in that picture. Wouldn't want to play against him if I was in the under 18's. Promising youngster.
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Michael11 added 15:43 - Jul 30 I see Alan Lee has scored for us in the U21's game today!
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muccletonjoe added 18:29 - Jul 30 Let's see him in the first team then, if you're good enough, you are old enough
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Dissboyitfc added 21:33 - Jul 30 phil , any relation to geoff hammond, town player from the seventies? there are similarities in looks, if my memory serves me right
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