Boss Mick McCarthy says Keiran Morphew’s performance for the Blues' U21s in Monday’s 1-0 victory over QPR was as good a game as he’s seen from any trialist, aside from Tyrone Mings. As revealed by TWTD on Wednesday, the 22-year-old Needham Market player has been invited to spend next week training with the Blues.

“He was excellent,” McCarthy said. “I thought he did everything that we could have asked of him.

“I spoke to him afterwards and I said it was as good a trial game as I’ve seen, taking Tyrone Mings out of the equation.

“He was really composed, it didn’t look like he’d just tipped up and played on the day. Everything he did was calm and collected and composed, I really liked him. So we’ll have another look at him and see.”

Morphew, who played at centre-half on Monday but can also operate at right-back and in the centre of midfield, is a player the Blues have been keeping an eye on for some time and he previously played a game for the U21s three years ago.

Academy coach Steve Foley, who divides his time between Playford Road and the role of head coach with Ryman League Premier Division Needham, is a big fan of Morphew's, McCarthy says.

“Steve Foley is a big advocate of Keiran’s and Sparky [U21s coach Mark Kennedy] had seen him play and I know Taff, Ian Evans, had seen him play and they have all given good reports.

“I’ve seen him play now and if he plays on Monday at Brentford I’ll go and watch him again.”

Meanwhile, exiting Portman Road on Monday was Alex Henshall after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, the 21-year-old winger having been out of the first-team picture this season and made available in the summer.

Why does McCarthy feel the former Manchester City and Swindon man’s spell didn’t work out?

“It’s down to Alex Henshall that, I’m afraid, because he's had every bit of coaching and encouragement,” he said.

“We did think highly of him when he came and he helped change the game at Birmingham [last season] when Christophe Berra scored the equaliser that time.

“And he also caught other people’s eye there because he ended up going elsewhere on loan because of it. Lee Clark had seen him and he went up to Blackpool and he rang me straight away because he’d impressed him, just like he did all of us.

“He just didn’t take it on from where he was, sadly. But anyway, good luck to him, let’s hope he does it elsewhere.”

Photo: Action Images

Sir_Bob added 07:05 - Feb 5 It's such a shame where the likes of Henshall, McDonnell & Connoly were never given the chance to even to sit on the bench with MM preferring the likes of Coke, Toure & Tabb.
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hampstead_blue added 07:44 - Feb 5 Sounds like Henshall is a bluff and no substance. A long string of those in football who are now bottom feeding
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Corrick91 added 08:01 - Feb 5 Good to see hear. What have we got to lose signing Morphew. Good luck to the lad
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brian_a_mul added 11:31 - Feb 5 Henshall came from the luxury of the Man City academy and maybe just diddnt have the drive or attitude to kick on & mix it in MM teams. Hopefully a stint in the lower leagues will ignite him ala Freddie Sears. McDonnell still has a big future at the club, Douggie doesnt have much left in terms of years and McDonnell could take him place in the first team squad next season as back up to Bish & Bru in the midfield spot. I cant see Coke hanging around next season if he is not getting any games.

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harlingblue added 03:38 - Feb 6 Morphew showed more awareness in one game, than several regulars of this seasons U21 team. He did not look raw and would certainly vie for a position beside Clarke or Yerworth in a future Town team.
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