Town boss Mick McCarthy is keen to get centre-half Matt Clarke and goalkeeper Michael Crowe out on loan to gain experience.

Clarke (pictured), 18, made his senior debut in the Capital One Cup tie at Crawley in August, playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, and made his Championship bow as a late sub at Millwall last month.

London-born, Norway-raised Wales U19 international Crowe, 19, has been on the first-team bench on a number of occasions but is yet to make his debut for the Blues.

“I’d love Michael Crowe to get out somewhere and play because that’s the problem, he’s had no real competitive football,” McCarthy said.

“Sitting on the bench is one thing, being asked to come and play after one minute that’s another thing altogether against Middlesbrough or Watford, someone like that.

“Clarkey, I’m really surprised nobody has asked about him. I think he’s still young enough that they could have him on a youth loan, so we could have him on a 24-hour recall.

“I think he would be a great addition for somebody lower down. He’s more than capable of playing.

“And the reason why I haven’t really encouraged it is because if I have a problem, I’d play him. But he could do with some football.”

Crowe

He says Clarke could cope down in the Vanarama Conference or as high as League One: “He can play at that level without any problem, for me. He’ll play in the Championship, Clarkey, at some stage. He’s a very capable young fella.”

Barham-based Clarke told the club site that he’s open to a temporary switch: “I’d definitely look to go out on loan if the chance was there.

“If there was an opportunity to go and play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday - I would want to take it. That is where you want to be as a player, out on the pitch.

“If the gaffer thinks it is the right time for me to go out on loan to continue my development, then that would be it. I’d be on my way.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says he’ll continue to monitor Arsenal defender Semi Ajayi, who was recently on trial and played in the U21s game against Cardiff. The 21-year-old is set to be released by the Gunners in the summer.

“He’s been to a number of clubs,“ McCarthy added. “He was at Sunderland first, he’s been to us and I think he’s got to go to half a dozen more clubs. Good luck to him, fair play to him.

“Everybody wants to look at a 6ft 5in tall young centre-back from Arsenal, let’s all have a look.

“And I guess it’ll be down to him whatever offers he gets. We’ve not offered anything, we just wanted to have a look at him and we’ll watch him in the next two games.”

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:06 - Feb 6 I have great hopes for this lad. Didn't look fazed against Wet Spam in pre-season. I think he's got every chance of doing well. Needs to play, tho', as Mick says.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:07 - Feb 6 Oh dear, not very top-down: "this lad" above being Clarke. I don't know so much about Crowe, but of course I hope he does well too.
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jas0999 added 09:39 - Feb 6 We have a small squad as it is, and although I see the sense of sending youngsters out on loan, I remain concerned at the lack of options. That said, in Crowes case we have ample cover, but not sure we do at the back.
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Guthrum added 09:52 - Feb 6 jas0999 - Tho if we could have a 24-hour recall facility, it would be a solution to that issue.
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Simonds92 added 10:08 - Feb 6 Think Clarke is going to be a very good footballer from what I've seen of him, for me could comfortably play at championship level if we didn't already have 3 excellent centre halves
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