Town boss Mick McCarthy says winger Cameron Stewart remains firmly in his plans as the Blues prepare for their final pre-season friendly against Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Portman Road on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Stewart’s Town career looked to have ended before it had begun in earnest having made just two 2014/15 FA Cup sub appearances since signing for the Blues in the summer of 2014 following his release by Hull City.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers after being made available in pre-season having been left out of the Ireland training camp. In April, manager Mick McCarthy reiterated his intention to allow the Mancunian to move on.

However, at the start of pre-season training, McCarthy, whose squad is currently short of wingers, said Stewart could work his way back into his thoughts having returned to the club fitter than has been the case in previous summers.

And, with pre-season almost over, McCarthy confirmed that Stewart, who has a year remaining on his contract, is very much in his plans for the campaign proper.

“Yeah, he is this year, because he’s come back slim and fit and wanting to do it,” the Blues manager said after Tuesday’s friendly at Charlton. “I wouldn’t tolerate what he came back like last year. He knows that.

“He went out [on loan] and was never anywhere near my team. I’m not telling you now that I haven’t told you before.

“He’s come back in good shape and put two very good crosses in tonight. He is part of the squad and will be part of the team photograph on Thursday and it’s very much up to him to keep progressing and proving he should be around it.

“He’s got that bit of magic dust at times, that bit of wow factor. I’m not convinced it’s there all the time over 90 minutes, it’s hard to do it over 90 minutes, but in periods of games he does produce crosses.

“I think, like anybody, he likes to have an arm around him and a bit of confidence given to him. He’s had that this pre-season because he’s come back and shown me he wants to do it.”

McCarthy, Stewart and the rest of the staff and squad will be at the annual open day which takes place at Portman Road from 10am this morning (gates open 9.30am). Full details here.

Photo: Action Images

Dissboyitfc added 06:52 - Jul 28 I think everybody deserves a second chance and i hope he has been given his for the above mentioned reason, if so then great. i just hope its not because we are desperate and havent been able to add to our thin squad!
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mickeyjb added 06:59 - Jul 28 I think your point two is nearer the mark Dissboy, and he will be binned as soon as we do!! Is that fair on him?
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essex57 added 07:16 - Jul 28 Goes to show micks man management skills. Good luck to Cameron hope he takes his chance.
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tractorboybig added 07:17 - Jul 28 getting a second chance tends to support the fact that mm has not been able to recruit anyone else, so in esscence a very disturbing sign.
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corfu72 added 07:29 - Jul 28 We need to give the lad a chance,after all he is a proven winger.IF, he can play to his potential he could very well be a great asset in the coming season.
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hoppy added 07:29 - Jul 28 No doubt the negatives will fill the comments, but we've got one of our own players here, given a second chance. It's up to him now to work hard and prove himself. With the right attitude and application, he could be a good player for us, and won't be recalled by his parent club which is always the danger with loanees. Hope works out well for us and him.
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BlueNomad added 07:44 - Jul 28 We being kept out of desperation? There is a month to go until deadline day and there is every chance we will sign a winger, either permanently or on loan. Could it just be a case that the boy has put the work in over the summer and Mick has been genuinely surprised and delighted? There is no doubting his ability. Even this is being spun by some to have a go at the club!

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BlueNomad added 07:46 - Jul 28 Something wrong with my keyboard - that should have read "Why is he being kept out of desperation?"
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Mark added 07:47 - Jul 28 I wish Stewart well, but remain concerned that the squad is not strong enough to compete for promotion and that we can't score goals, going into a season with no emergency loans allowed.
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bedsitfc added 07:52 - Jul 28 If Stuart is in the squad on merit then brilliant but I do worry it's because we can't sign any other winger. With him , bish and didz staying fit, it's like 3 new signings
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gamezone added 07:53 - Jul 28 More importantly what about Smith is he going?
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bedsitfc added 07:56 - Jul 28 But the fact is. He is getting a chance it's in his court now!
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parkinshair added 08:29 - Jul 28 Stewart is not without ability. Entering the final year of his contract and having tasted life in lower leagues was perhaps a wakeup call that he needed. As for McGoldrick he won't be like a new signing. He will be like McGoldrick. The treatment tables friend.
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iaintaylorx added 08:33 - Jul 28 Stewart and Lamah on the wings. Quite a bit of pace there!
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Radlett_blue added 08:46 - Jul 28 Sounds like Mick sees Stewart as an impact sub at best & isn't convinced, hence Lamah is on trial. We will see.
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rugbytomc added 09:09 - Jul 28 stewart to have a pretty decent season then leave on a free to chase bigger wages elsewhere just like lee martin? i hope the first part not the last part!
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tractorshark added 09:10 - Jul 28 Don't buy this desperation argument. Stewart may not be the answer but if you flip it around and were saying we're signing him rather than giving him a second chance, the mood would be more positive. He's 25, has pace and ability but we've not seen it at Ipswich yet. But, at Charlton, he looked good. Like I say, he may not be the answer and I firmly believe we need two further wingers but I think he deserves a chance to prove himself.

2

BrettenhamBlue added 09:24 - Jul 28 Happy with this. Everyone should be given a clean slate and a second chance. MM saying similar things regarding Malarcyk also and he could be a major back up for our defence this season. Bishop, Sears, McDonnell, Stewart. Even if we end up signing nobody we do have players who can fill those roles. With Giles Coke back we nearly have a fully fit squad now as we approach our first game. I am looking forward to us getting our first 3 points against Barnsley! Bart, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Knudsen Skuse, Dozzell, Stewart, Bishop Murphy, Pittman Subs: Sears, Mcgoldrick, Gerks, Douglas, Malarcyk, Bru, Webster

0

Ferguson added 09:41 - Jul 28 Good to see Cameron has dealt with his issues and come back into the reckoning. We've seen a few players come and go over the last few seasons who had demons to battle and sometimes lost out to them; affecting the team and damaging their own careers. Perhaps his spell at Donnie made a difference. Let's get behind him and see if he can become the legend that his early promise suggested he might be. If you read this Cameron at 25 years old now is the time to do it son. Now is the time.

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mickeyjb added 10:12 - Jul 28 I like the way I've received negative feedback! I'm not having a go at Stewart my concerns are that if we do get another winger will Stewart be sent to Coventry again as they say. If he is now starting to show his true potentual then that is great news, would he have been playing if feenie had joined or this lad from Blackburn?
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mickeyjb added 10:12 - Jul 28 I like the way I've received negative feedback! I'm not having a go at Stewart my concerns are that if we do get another winger will Stewart be sent to Coventry again as they say. If he is now starting to show his true potentual then that is great news, would he have been playing if feenie had joined or this lad from Blackburn?
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Lightningboy added 10:33 - Jul 28 This news just about sums up our transfer activities during the summer. What is going on???
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cats_whiskers added 10:44 - Jul 28 mickeyjb... You should know it's the "Usual Culprits" who do that That is as far as their brain can function As they don't have the ability to post a comment or they daren't as they can't take criticism in and shape or form. They will constantly "Troll" the site just to give those who make sound statements on ITFC and just pick the bones relating to what they deem as negative.... i.e. "Errr I fink I will give them a minus" and in doing so they have a little chuckle to themselves afterwards... It's Unfortunate but their brains are "Hardwired" and most are just beyond help.

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tractorshark added 10:44 - Jul 28 To be honest, I'd rather have Stewart than Feeney. Stewart is 25 and could improve. Feeney is 30 and his best days are behind him. I thought Feeney flattered to deceive and the money we would have had to pay was not worth it in my opinion. Stewart has got a lot of question marks hanging over him but he has a point to prove even if he wishes to leave at the end of the season. It's up to him.

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bluegilbitfc added 11:22 - Jul 28 about time he showed his worth but glad he is as hes the quality we need. good of mick to give him another chance after he apparently came back fit this time. lets hope it pays off!
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