x

Youngsters to Get Their Chance Against Coventry? - Ipswich Town News

Boss Roy Keane says he may field some of the younger members of his squad when the Blues face Coventry at Portman Road on Sunday in the season's final game (KO 1.15pm). Connor Wickham and Dean Bowditch could come into their new manager's thoughts after scoring twice in the reserves on Tuesday.

The duo netted a brace each in a 5-0 win at Leyton Orient, which was watched by Keane and his assistant Tony Loughlan. Irish U19 international Ronan Murray scored the other goal.

Wickham, 16, is set to join the academy full-time in the summer, while Bowditch's one-year deal comes to an end.

Keane said: "Things have been taking more shape this week and there might be one or two of the younger players given a chance against Coventry.”

Already the new Town boss has handed Jaime Peters and Matt Richards their first starts in two years, although his hand was to some extent forced by injuries to most of the other full-backs at the club.

The new manager's scope for assessing many of the club's youngsters is limited with several of them currently out on loan or injured.

Billy Clarke is with League Two champions Brentford, Liam Trotter with Scunthorpe, Jai Reason with Cambridge and Kurt Robinson at Rushden and Diamonds.

Jordan Rhodes returned from his spell at Brentford with a broken metatarsal, which has put him out for the season, while Shane Supple's time at Oldham was ended by a knee injury which will sideline him until pre-season.

Tommy Smith played for the reserves at Brisbane Road but was making only his third appearance after breaking his ankle in August.

Defender Chris Casement is amongst those available for selection, his time at Wycombe having come to an end earlier in the month, while Jack Ainsley and Reggie Lambe have been offered professional deals by Town, but would appear to be outsiders for first team inclusion this season.

Casement is one of the 13 players out of contract along with Matt Richards, Alex Bruce, Shane Supple, Iván Campo, Dan Harding, Dean Bowditch, Liam Trotter, Kurt Robinson, Billy Clarke, Tommy Miller, Jai Reason and Ed Upson.

What to read next:

U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.