Town will be without striker Connor Wickham later this month and during early April when the 16-year-old goes away with the England U17s for their European Championships elite qualifying group games.

The England youngsters play Sweden at Northampton’s Sixfields on Saturday March 27th, Malta at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on the following Monday and Slovakia, again at Northampton, three days later.

Manager Roy Keane says Wickham has been doing well when coming on as a sub in recent weeks: “Connor seems to be having more of an impact coming off the bench at the moment. He’s away in a couple of weeks with the U17s and we’ll miss him for three or four games.

“Connor’s training really well and when he’s coming on you’re thinking that he’s going to affect the game. And that’s what we want players to do, not just to play a part. Even the other day he came on and caused problems.

“But Connor could do with his first goal. He had a good opportunity against Bristol City, the defender’s made a good block and it’s been bobbling on the line.

“That’s the way it’s going for Connor at the moment but we know once he gets his first league goal he’ll be up and running.”

Wickham scored twice in the Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury early in the season and also converted during that game's penalty shoot-out but hasn't hit the net for the first team since.

Keane says he won’t look to add any strikers to his squad as cover for Wickham’s absence unless another one of his strikers picks up an injury. The Blues boss says there have been no developments on players coming in or going out since Friday.

Wickham is likely to play some part against Cardiff City on Tuesday night with Keane confirming that his side picked up no new injuries at Blackpool on Saturday, although they will be without the suspended Grant Leadbitter.

The Colchester-based youngster, who has previously won seven U17 caps, scoring four goals, is due to sign a professional deal with the club after he has turned 17 on March 31st.

Photo: Action Images

bennyblue added 11:46 - Mar 8 i wish someone would take keane away
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devontractorboy added 11:48 - Mar 8 Too young for first team football IMO, needs another year or so yet, send him out on loan in the lower leagues to get him scoring. Then when he's ready for the first team, has scored in some pre-season friendlies.....sell him to a Division One side for peanuts....Simples!! Good Luck Connor with England!!
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devontractorboy added 11:48 - Mar 8 bennyblue.......who'd want him??????
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bennyblue added 11:53 - Mar 8 let me think about that one "i may be some time'"
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biggerblue added 11:58 - Mar 8 Damm I think he has been doing well in recent weeks and has really started to make the difference to the overall team performance when he has come on. Good luck Connor, go and bag a load of goals for England and continue it when you get back. Its great that we have a player in the England set up. It just shows, Wickham is highly thought off at the highest level, and his progress can only be good for us in the long run. Also hopefully he will bag a few goals before he gos!

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yarmoblue added 12:26 - Mar 8 dont rush back
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arc added 12:42 - Mar 8 Time for Ronan Murray to shine.
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biggerblue added 13:12 - Mar 8 @ yarmoblue ! Are Norwich ? as i would expect that comment from them ! and not a true blue fan !!
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biggerblue added 13:19 - Mar 8 @ yarmoblue ! Are YOU Norwich ? as i would expect that comment from them ! and not a true blue fan !!
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nickyslad added 13:22 - Mar 8 goodluck connor xx you will do great as always hope you have a super birthday also with the england team, support you all the way lad
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ITFC1985 added 13:26 - Mar 8 biggerblue - no disrespect to what youve said but Connor Wickham has not really done anything so far this season, the boy has got obvious talent but he never looks like hes going to score and alot of the time looks 5 yards of the pace, i agree that he needs to go out on loan get full games under his belt get a few goals aswel, but good luck to him with England he is one for the future!!

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MightyPaz added 13:40 - Mar 8 Connor is a pair of floodgates - I think he'll be superb as he gets older. Watch this space. Up the Town and Up the Roy. Doomgloomers, sharpen your knives if you want at end of the season - but for now let's drive Keane and the lads on till the last day.
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JayITFC added 14:19 - Mar 8 The lad has promise but isn't ready for first team football at Championship level. A trip away with the U17s is good for him and the club. He's a boy remember.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 14:31 - Mar 8 Ok he's gonna be a valuable talent one day, but at the moment I would ask will we really miss him? He doesn't really look like scoring, unlike Jon Stead!
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MaySixth added 14:35 - Mar 8 Based on his last three sub appeareances which should be saying no way can Connor leave Portman Road at the business end of the season
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blue added 14:52 - Mar 8 Counago,murphy,walters,healy BACK OF THE NET please. 4-0
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salforduniblue added 16:42 - Mar 8 The kid's about 7ft! I swear he's lying about his age. That said, Finidi George was probably about 55 when we signed him ...
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biggerblue added 17:43 - Mar 8 ITFC1985 No disrespect taken, at least you agree he is one for the future and you are no like some idiots on here sharping knives at any player!! IMO i think he is making a difference, he has been very good over the last 3 games when he has come on (getting used to it and matureing). No he has not scored yet i agree, but its only a matter of time! More time on the pitch IMO will solve that!

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Daleyitfc added 19:21 - Mar 8 He's not any good : saw him last year in Youth Cup and he made no impact even there. Get rid.
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jas0999 added 20:23 - Mar 8 Too young to be a regular at the moment - particularly in our position. So much pressure.
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blueoveru added 21:15 - Mar 8 better get Stead back then,after all it would be nice for our leading goal scorer to actually be playing for us instead of helping Coventry out ,wtf!
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bennyblue added 11:30 - Mar 9 enjoy the trip man it'll be 6 times as much fun in the 3rd
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J45 added 21:15 - Mar 10 Daleyitfc what are you talking about the kid has clearly got potential otherwise he wouldnt being playing for england u21.
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