Town’s third-choice keeper Michael Crowe is on trial with League Two Portsmouth at their Irish training camp in Co Meath. The 20-year-old put pen to paper on a new one-year Blues contract with an option for a further season on July 1st.

Last week manager Mick McCarthy said that the Wales U21 call-up (pictured above, left with U21s skipper Joe Robinson) could be sent out on loan to gain experience during 2016/17, in which case he might look for another keeper as cover for senior duo Bartosz Bialkowski and Dean Gerken.

“There was a bit of interest and if he’s going to play in somebody else’s first team then I’d let him go out on loan and I might have to sign somebody else just in case,” he said.

“We have got Jacob Marsden as well. They’ll only be looking at the bench though as the two lads we’ve got are excellent.”

Pompey, who took Town defender Matt Clarke on loan last season before signing him on a permanent basis in the deal which saw Adam Webster join the Blues earlier this summer, are also running the rule over Leeds keeper Eric Grimes while they are in Ireland.

Crowe, who has been on the first-team bench for Town on a number of occasions but so far without making his Blues debut, has previously spent time on loan at Woking, Stevenage and Braintree Town.

London-born Crowe, whose father is English and mother Norwegian, joined the Blues in the summer of 2012 from Kristiansand-based side IK Start, having been brought up in Norway.

He qualifies for Wales, with whom he won five U19s caps but is yet to feature for the U21s, through his grandmother.

Like Town, Portsmouth will be playing a friendly in Dublin on Saturday afternoon. While the Blues face Shelbourne at Tolka Park, the Hampshire club take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park (both 3pm KOs).

Photo: Action Images

GiveusaWave added 00:23 - Jul 6 Good move and experience for him. Bart and Gerken are fine, Marsden as back up; don't need another keeper.
2

clint_eastwood added 03:09 - Jul 6 I saw him played. He's got great reflexes. Definitely one for the future.
1

iaintaylorx added 08:06 - Jul 6 Has looked okay from what I have seen briefly. I know he is a big lad, so hopefully is good at crosses with his presence. Bit of game time will only do him any good. Good move.
1

BotesdaleBlue added 08:16 - Jul 6 No mention of our other young keeper Hayes by Mick. Any update?
0

PhilTWTD added 09:08 - Jul 6 Nick Hayes will be a second-year scholar in the coming season, so a couple of years behind Jacob Marsden, who he mentions. Harry Wright, Richard's son, will also be a second year.
3

Tufty added 10:21 - Jul 6 Are we building a connection with Portsmouth or just a coincidence another deal being done with them
1

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:58 - Jul 6 Will he oust first choice at pompey or will he fins himself called back and sent out to the conference? If the latter than just give him a full conference season no?
0

Steelmonkey added 15:15 - Jul 6 Apparently he wouldn't play in an outfield position so he has got to go.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls