Striker Connor Wickham celebrates his 17th birthday today and is therefore finally able to sign his first professional contract. Despite plenty of interest from Premier League clubs, the Colchester-based youngster seems set to remain with the Blues.

Wickham won’t be putting pen to paper today as he is still away with England’s U17s, with whom he is likely to win his ninth cap on Thursday when his side face Slovakia in their final European Championships elite qualifying group game at Northampton’s Sixfields.

The youngster is due back at the club on Friday and it is likely that Town, with whom Wickham has signed a pre-contract agreement, will look to get him to put pen to paper soon after that.

Scouts from Premier League sides have been watching the 6ft 3in tall striker since his days as a schoolboy with Town and before that with Reading’s academy, but with his chances of first team football likely to be limited in the top flight, it’s believed the striker prefers to remain at Portman Road.

While the interest of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United has grabbed all the headlines, Fulham and Spurs were amongst those keeping the closest eye on Town's hottest prospect most recently.

It’s understood that this could explain the presence of Alan Curbishley and his former Charlton assistant Mervyn Day at recent Town games, with the former believed to be scouting for Tottenham and the latter for the Cottagers.

Last week manager Roy Keane said he expected Wickham to sign on his return, while former Blue Paul Goddard, who works for the player’s representatives, Jonathan Barnett’s Stellar Group, said in December that he anticipated him staying with Town.

So far, Wickham has made five starts and 20 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring his first two senior goals at Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup in August and opening his league account in the recent victory over Scunthorpe.

Photo: Action Images

readtheleaguetable added 09:06 - Mar 31 So Phil, if you knew that was the explanation for Curbishley's visits, why did you say something to the effect that you had no reason to suspect the rumours about him taking over weren't true? You certainly fanned the flames that day, you devil, you!!
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Redmond added 09:06 - Mar 31 Happy birthday now sign that god dam contract :L
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PhilTWTD added 09:08 - Mar 31 readtheleaguetable Only heard the whisper re Curbs and Spurs more recently! Glad to see you arrived home safely.
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bennyblue added 09:09 - Mar 31 if we keep him does that mean we can get rid of roy yahoo
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:14 - Mar 31 HAPPY BIRTHDAY WICKY, sign on the dotted line laddie, the reason now stated for Curbs attendances,sounds more probable. Still it generated some excitement,and raised a few hackles in an otherwise dull week .
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barnesey added 09:17 - Mar 31 Roy is destroying our young talent with his unique violent abusive coaching technique which has brought such success. Give him a few more weeks and he'll complete the job and another massive talent (and valuable assett) will hit the scrap heap
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bennyblue added 09:17 - Mar 31 what is curbs here for his birthday ?
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bedsitfc added 09:25 - Mar 31 bennyblue - boring yawn
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arc added 09:30 - Mar 31 I volunteer to drive the contract to Northampton to get it signed today. Do we really have to wait for him to get back?? I will remain nervous...
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Paulc added 09:50 - Mar 31 barnessey - What the hell has your comment got to do with this story? All the indications point to him signing and yet you think, oh that's far too positive a story, I know.... I'll slag the manager off! Well done!
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HateDerekDavis added 10:02 - Mar 31 barnesey- any evidence of this 'violent abusive coaching technique' Keane employs or have you just plucked it out of the air? Thought so.
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readtheleaguetable added 10:02 - Mar 31 Yes I did make it back safely, thank you Phil, and I had a great time despite the quality of the football, and it was great to meet you. And there was me thinking you were winding people up for a laugh! It certainly worked a charm,even if it wasn't a misdirection !
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bedsitfc added 10:07 - Mar 31 some supporters dont and wont like keane but fact is he is staying. we have not been a decent side for years because i believe we are too nice on the field and roy keane has been appointed to change that i dont see keane as a long term manager but i do see him here for at least 4 years and by then we will be a premier team and we then can get a nice people person manager in.

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steed added 10:27 - Mar 31 Well if you believe the the rubbish bin put on her lately, the players hate keane ect . then wickham would not want to sign. But he is going to sign and keane still has the respect of the players.
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16_Jack_ken_16 added 10:34 - Mar 31 Happy Birthday hope you have a great day and sign you pro contract
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bluepeter added 10:46 - Mar 31 I can still remember Burlwys evening star headline advice to Richard Wright when he left prematurely for Arsenal; "I think that you are leaving at the wrong time in your career, I think you are making a big mistake". No one can deny that was ill advice can they? Well done Connor, always work hard and keep your feet on the ground, the world of football can be as bad as it is good. I am sure you will be a BIG star one day.

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bluepeter added 10:48 - Mar 31 Ooops, that should be Burley's. I forgot to proof read first!
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PablosRightBoot added 10:56 - Mar 31 Happy Birthday Connor! Does your mummy and daddy know you have a tattoo?
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tractorboybig added 11:01 - Mar 31 believe it IF it happens
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wisebluey added 11:21 - Mar 31 shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !
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jamesy_itfc_keano added 11:26 - Mar 31 totally agree with bedsitfc. We need a manager with a bit of character here to get us out of this league, we got that with keane. Happy birthday connor! Sign that contract!
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jonf added 11:42 - Mar 31 Has anyone get a pen for Connor's birthday yet?
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Brockleyblue added 12:00 - Mar 31 On the subject of strikers, can someone please enlighten me on how Tamas Priskin scoring for QPR at the weekend is supposed to help Ipswich's struggle to avoid relegation? I suspect the answer is to help pay for David Healy to keep the Blues' bench warm. I keep thinking that provided Town stay up Keane should be given to at least late November to try and turn things round, but then I think back to the sums spent on mediocrity (at best): Martin, Edwards, Colin Healy loanees such as David Healy and Stern John, and the fact that he let go players such as Jordan Rhodes (scored his 20th league goal on Saturday) and Jon Stead and I really wonder what planet the guy has been living on for the last year?

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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:11 - Mar 31 'ello fans. Happy Birthday from me and Tony poos. That mad Cleggy was in my office last night and wrote Reading away on my calendar for Saturday. No way !!! I like to read at home in the comfort of my own home. Unless it's my P45 and my big pay off !!! See you later fans for more japes.
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KeanoBlindFaith added 12:20 - Mar 31 'ello fans. Cleggy just called and said it's Reading at home not away. That muppet can't make me read at home if I don't want to unless it's Championship Manager for Dummies or my P45 and my big payoff. Thanks Meester Evans and fans !!!!
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