Boss Mick McCarthy says Jack Marriott and Kyle Hammond are setting the benchmark for the rest of the club’s young players. Marriott, 19, has scored three goals in three games during a loan spell with Skrill Premier side Woking, while 18-year-old right-back Hammond was part of the first-team squad ahead of Saturday’s match against Leicester although ultimately missed out on a place in the matchday 18.

On Friday McCarthy revealed that the club are in talks with striker Marriott about a new contract, the former Kettering Town schoolboy having been handed a one-year deal in the summer, along with fellow Playford Road graduates Jonny Leddy, Tom Winter, Mark Timlin and David October, who is currently on loan at Histon.

McCarthy says Marriott is showing his compatriots what can be achieved: “People will say to me ‘I wonder how the others feel’.

“I think perhaps the others are thinking that Jack’s been pulling his finger out of his hole and he’s got himself a new contract, so maybe that’s what I need to be doing. That’s the benchmark.”

McCarthy believes Marriott's form with the Cards may well attract future loan interest from Football League clubs.

Ipswich-born Hammond, who is yet to be offered professional terms, spent most of pre-season with the first team squad along with fellow second-year scholars Amir Berkane and Byron Lawrence, both midfielders.

Having spent 12 weeks out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Hammond was back in action for the U18s last week, scoring in the 2-1 defeat at Leeds, and for the U21s as they lost 5-2 to a much more experienced Colchester side in a friendly. He was subsequently called into the senior squad as cover at the weekend.

“Kyle Hammond’s come back from his knee injury and [was in the squad at the weekend],” McCarthy said. “He trained with the first team. He’s doing great.

“That’s got to be the benchmark for all of them, I think, that level, Jack Marriott and Kyle Hammond.”

Hammond will be in Town’s U21 side when they take on Brentford at their Jersey Road training ground this afternoon (KO 1pm).

The Blues second string are still looking for their first win of the season and are currently bottom of the 10-team Professional Development League Two South with two points from seven games. The Bees, who are eighth with seven from six, have lost their last three matches.

Recent signing Stephen Hunt, a Brentford player earlier in his career, will be involved as he continues to work on his fitness, as will Anthony Wordsworth, Scott Loach, Freddie Veseli, Alan Lee, Jordan Adekunle, Byron Lawrence and Jack Doherty.

Republic of Ireland U18 international midfielder or defender Leddy is now running as he continues his recovery after undergoing surgery for the shoulder injury he suffered in the U21 game at QPR in September.

Elsewhere, Elliott Hewitt and loan club Gillingham are in League One action against Stevenage at the Priestfield Stadium this evening.

Photo: Action Images

Blue_Again added 07:17 - Nov 26 Think October and winter will get better as the season goes on.... Oh yes first to get it up haha...
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Mark added 07:50 - Nov 26 Let's hope the Grade 1 Academy sets the benchmark higher, as we need our young players to break into the ITFC first time and excel, not just do well while out on loan at non-league clubs.
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Mark added 07:51 - Nov 26 'first team', not 'first time'
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muccletonjoe added 08:58 - Nov 26 I have seen Hammond play a couple of times and he looks to be coming on very well and it wouldn't surprise me to see him break into the first team. Marriott , imo should already be there , but that's another story.
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SouperJim added 10:17 - Nov 26 Optimistic about what these young lads can do, but the fact our reserves are bottom of the league speaks volumes about the overall strength in depth in our squad. I.e. we have none.
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itfc789 added 11:10 - Nov 26 Great to see Leddy back running. Hurry up and get back fit and break into that first team squad!!!!
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Michael11 added 11:32 - Nov 26 I think Mick's doing the right thing and trying to build for the future. If our Category 1 Academy takes off then we could find ourselves with a really bright future. I think Southampton are the best example of where you can go if you can bring on the youth players. I'm sure that if we're 11th/12th and not really pushing for play offs but safe, then he'll give the young lads a chance after Christmas.

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Kentish_Tractor added 19:23 - Nov 26 The benchmark that if they try really really hard they may make the bench, but not get a chance in the first team, and instead loaned out to the conference? That's sure something to aspire to kids. Give them a chance in the 1st team Mick and assess whether they are ready that way. Under Burley Marriot would have about 20 appearances by his current age (19).
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