Boss Mick McCarthy says Jack Marriott’s development is currently going plan with the 19-year-old set to be on the bench for his new loan club Gillingham in their live Sky game against Wolves at the Priestfield Stadium this evening (Sky Sports 1/HD1 7.30pm). Marriott will be with the League One club until the end of the season unless the Blues utilise a 24-hour recall available after 28 days.

“It’s going to plan at the moment, thankfully,” McCarthy said. “He plays here in the youths, then he goes in the U21s, then he goes out to the Skrill Premier [with Woking] and does really well, he scored nine goals in nine games. That’s a progression.

“And now a league club wants to take him. He is involved tonight, he’ll be on the bench against Wolves.

“I can just hear the commentary, ‘Marriott comes on, he’s clean through…’, and let me tell, you if he does get clean through, he will score!

“Let’s hope that’s the case, it’s a great move for him and Peter Taylor will look after him down there.”

The Town boss was delighted but by no means surprised that Histon boss Brian Page described 19-year-old left-back David October as “magnificent” during his loan spell with the Stutes, which ended yesterday: “That’s a nice comment to hear about yourself, isn’t it? I knew he would be.

“I knew he would be better than anyone they’ve got in terms of playing and in terms of a young man he’d better than anybody they’ve ever met, he’s the nicest young fella you’ll ever come across.”

McCarthy says he’s not yet spoken with the Skrill North side about whether October might return for a further spell: “I’ve not had that discussion with them.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says former Blues defender Titus Bramble is no longer training with his squad at Playford Road: “I haven’t seen him for weeks, I don’t know what’s happening to him. He had a sore knee, then he got back from that, then his ankle was bothering him, I don’t know what he’s doing.”

The Town boss says he currently has no plans to offer the 32-year-old, who spent part of the summer on trial with the Blues after being released by Sunderland, the chance to rejoin his old club: “Not unless he turns up here. I don’t know where he is!”

Photo: Action Images

Bandbox_Blue added 15:31 - Jan 3 Should be off to Huddersfield for 750k at the end of the season then. Get ready for mega blubbing on here.
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brian_a_mul added 15:39 - Jan 3 Jeez we must have the best three left backs in all of England! Cressy, Mings & Rocco. MM loves his Left backs. lol Good to hear our youngsters are progressing with competitive game time. I wonder if Byron Lawrence would be let go on loan for a few months or is he too young for that?
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Michael11 added 18:28 - Jan 3 We've been very sensible with Marriott. If i had one slight worry it's that when his loan ends in the summer, he'll only have one year left on his contract. I hope he bangs them in and comes back like a new signing for next season.
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jas0999 added 19:24 - Jan 3 Mick knows exactly what he's doing. Great moves for these young lads. We also don't need Bramble (sadly). Injury prone. Plus our defence is very decent.
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tractorboy12341234 added 00:33 - Jan 4 I dont want to be negative but after the Gills game. Marriott didn't play, they have Kedwell, Akinfenwa and McDonald all prefered strikers at the moment. I dont feel that Marriott will get enough football as he wants.
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