Right-back Kyle Hammond is amongst the youngsters to have been offered new terms as manager Mick McCarthy decides which of the first-year pros and scholars will be retained for the 2015/16 campaign.

Former Westbourne High School pupil Hammond, who signed his first one-year pro deal last summer, returned to U21s action in January having suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury back in March last year.

The 19-year-old was part of the first-team squad during the Blues' 2013/14 pre-season programme before suffering another injury early in that campaign.

“My main aim now is to get back playing to the level I was before the injury,” Hammond told the club site. “I love being at the club. I’ve been here since I was 13 and I want to do well here.

“I’ve got to come back in pre-season and hit the ground running and hopefully get myself in the manager’s thoughts for the friendlies.”

Amongst this season’s second-year academy scholars, defender Josh Emmanuel and strikers Cemal Ramadan, an Irish U17 international, and Shane McLoughlin, who has played for Ireland's U16s, have been offered the opportunity to remain with the club.

Goalkeeper Jacob Marsden, who has been sidelined with injury for 15 months, has had his scholarship extended.

Of the first-year pros, defenders Omar Sowunmi and Ben Wyatt and striker Darren McQueen will not be kept on, while midfielders Cory Galvin and Jack Willbye, who extended their scholarships into a third year last year, will also be moving on. Another third-year scholar, defender Joe Robinson, has been retained.

Sowunmi is currently on loan at Lowestoft and the Trawlerboys are keen to keep the centre-half, while Willbye has been offered a four-year football scholarship at Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Irish winger Galvin recently spent time on trial at Colchester United.

Photo: Action Images

BajnersaG added 19:23 - Apr 13 JOE ROBINSON - PURE CLASS
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:56 - Apr 13 Pleased for those who won new contracts, sad for those who didn't quite make it. I'm a bit surprised to see that McQueen is out. I really hope that Hammond makes it as we could do with a quality right-back.
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bluefeast added 20:27 - Apr 13 tough when its your dream and it ends ,however go and prove mm wrong , many do and its all about attitude , one word of advice ,get a trial and when you do , talk loads on the pitch and play the game like its your last. Then be vocal in training if the new club wants a longer look at you. Keep your options open but offer to play for nothing for 6 games in order to do yourselves justice.

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Paulblue62 added 20:34 - Apr 13 We seem to have a real god crop of youngsters coming through. Congratulations to all those retained. I look forward to seeing you progress through to the 1st team. Those who were released, put your heads down, listen and work hard and I am sure you will still make it. Good luck to you all.
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OultonBlue97 added 20:44 - Apr 13 Good luck to Hammond and good luck to the players who have been released, I hope they find success wherever they go next.
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OultonBlue97 added 20:45 - Apr 13 I also hope the other players who have been kept on can find success at itfc
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muccletonjoe added 21:11 - Apr 13 Would have been madness to let Hammond go. A class act in the making imo
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Stourbridgeblue added 22:37 - Apr 13 The Academy staff have got a pretty good record. They don't let many slip through their fingers. Well done to those kept on. Good luck to those let go.
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SuffolkBlueSam added 22:47 - Apr 13 I work with Joe Robisions Aunt, Paula. Seen him fair few times at play ford road and he's got a great future. Spots a pass quickly and is dead composed on and off the ball. Could be a real asset to the club. Shame about sowumni, looked like he could be a player for a while.
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mow_the_lawn added 23:41 - Apr 13 Surprised at McQueen. Seems to be a good poacher, paced and runs with the ball. I think he'd be a free signing for a league 1 team.
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Cloddyseedbed added 08:33 - Apr 14 I too am surprised at releasing McQueen, last time i visited U21's he was the only one to stand out for all the right reasons. Probably with the way we play at Ipswich now his skill running with the ball is frowned upon, which is a great shame. The boy has something.
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Seasider added 14:22 - Apr 14 Like several on here thought that Darren McQueen showed up quite well in games I have seen. Think he originally came from Spurs nearly two years ago;but as Cloddyseedbed said not Micks type of player.Pity but sure that he will have a future in the game.
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