Spanish striker Pablo Couñago has admitted he finds it difficult playing in the reserves. Boss Joe Royle left Couñago out of the first team squad for the Sheffield United game in the wake of several poor reserves performances.

Couñago, set to exit Portman Road in the summer, says it's not that he doesn't make the effort, just that he finds motivating himself hard: "It is difficult when you have played professionally for a long time and then you go back to the reserves. I try to do my best and keep it going but sometimes it is tougher than others.

"I was playing those games when I was 15 and 16, when I had just started playing football. It is not hard to come back for one, two or three games, but it has been six months and it is difficult."

Photo: Action Images

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