Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted to see 19-year-old right-back Kyle Hammond back in action for the U21s last week after 10 months out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

The former Westbourne High School pupil, who signed a one-year pro deal last summer, came on as a second-half sub during the 1-1 draw with Cardiff at Playford Road.

“It was wonderful,” McCarthy said. “I loved seeing him back because I love him as a kid and love the attitude he’s shown towards being injured and his rehabilitation.

“It was great and he’s trained with [the first-team squad] for the last couple of days. It’s been really lovely to see him.”

Hammond spent most of pre-season ahead of 2013/14 campaign with the senior squad and looked set to make his first-team breakthrough until he picked up an earlier knee problem which kept him out for 12 weeks and then his more serious injury - to the other knee - in March last year.

Asked whether he he expects Hammond to be in the first-team picture during the next campaign, McCarthy added: “Who knows where we’ll be at the start of next season?

"We don’t know, do we? We could be a Premier League team at the start of next season, that’s what we’re aiming for.

“I think Kyle’s got a future in the game, whether it’s at that level or not I don’t know but he was doing really, really well, he’s been out for 10 months. Let’s give him a chance before I start setting what he’s going to be doing.

“He’s got to get some football. He’s not played at this level at all, but he’s trained with us in the last couple of days and he’s been a breath of fresh air.”

Meanwhile, 17-year-old central midfielder Kundai Benyu, a first-year academy scholar who has impressed in the U21s throughout the season, travelled with the first-team squad for the first time ahead of the Brighton game, having been handed senior squad number 31.

“I just wanted to hear him sing on the night before, that’s all!” McCarthy joked, referring to the now traditional song players new to the squad have to sing as part of their initiation. “They told me he’s a good singer. What a lie that was!

“He’s done OK. I wanted enough numbers there. It doesn’t do them any harm to travel with the first team and see what goes on, how it’s done, the importance of things that we do.

“I know they do it further down but as a kid you just take it for granted that it’s all going on.

“Then you see it in the first team and we’re doing all the same things that they are but at a different level, so it’s always good for them to see.”

Photo: Action Images

kuyski added 07:17 - Feb 5 "We don't know, do we? We could be a Premier League team at the start of next season, that's what we're aiming for. So that means MM you have some great loan deal already deal with?
-15

elalaer9 added 08:13 - Feb 5 @kuyski Howabout.... 'great to see such a talented young player back in training and hopefully pushing for a first team start late this season or early next. Also, how nice it is to see other young payers mixing it up in the first team, great experience for them. Looking good for the future! COYB' Perhaps that's what you meant to say...once you'd engaged your brain.
13

Mr_Evans added 08:32 - Feb 5 So much negativity flying around at the moment - such fickle 'supporters'. People we're 4th in a very competitive championship table, sitting 3 points off top spot and along with Middlesbrough we've lost the least amount of games compared to all other teams.. So chill the fudge out! It's a long season, they'll be games we should have won, they'll be games we should have lost - that's football. If course MM has 1 or 2 loans lined up, he has consistently brought in emergency loan signings each season. I'm happy for us to take on trialists or loans and if they impress sign them up - it's certaibly worked with the likes of McGoldrick, N & S Hunt, Bru, Ambrose, Bialkowski & Tabb. Otherwise we run the risk of signing the likes of Taylor, Nouble, Chopra and whatnot - players either not good enough or have the wrong attitude.

5

Ipswich_Crazy added 08:38 - Feb 5 kuyski: We don't need Fickle fans, so support the young talent or go and support Chelsea! We are 4th not 24th!
8

blueherts added 09:21 - Feb 5 well said crazy and Mr Evans - just look at how some of the other 'lower championship teams have performed in the Cup - Bolton did not look bottom half material last night Tough league and we have a good enough squad to push on - MM has been awesome in his transfer dealings and finding some young talent - the lads from Ireland - I have heard from a couple of sources over there - one and ex Ipswich player - that they are very talented boys So lets enjoy the run in - if we make the play offs but lose out it has still been a good season with progress . Remember late 90s took us afew tries - but we built and got there in the end It is not 'make or break' like some think

4

Steve70 added 10:00 - Feb 5 Give the young lads a chance , rather then using prem league players. These young ones have no fear !!!!!!
3

kuyski added 11:39 - Feb 5 Some reaction comments after my post just a joke and naive! We are 4th so no need to strengthen our squad?Even Chelsea 1st in PL they still chasing a new player in last day,.When Derby get in Ince they are in 4th of the table.Bournemouth chase 5M for Gray but not succeed. Loan coming that means is not given chance to our young lads? If the young lads are good enough, there's nobody can Deprive their place.(Mings is a good example) Some people up stiars I really hope you are the owners of Derby,satisfied what you already have. On the earth everybody know the young talents is the future but they must join in the team in a very correct time,rush to put them to play will destroy them very very easy. Finally if I am a Fickle fans,I will not waste my time on here even writing one words .

-1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:10 - Feb 5 OK Kuyski. Bye.
3

MattinLondon added 13:20 - Feb 5 Afternoon All I've never seen Kyle Hammond paly before - can someone tell me what sort of full-back he is? Is he someone who likes to get forward and put in a decent cross or is he more in the Chris Makin mode?
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls