Former Blue Jordan Rhodes says defender Tommy Smith should stay on loan at League One Brentford for the rest of the season. Rhodes, a close friend of Smith’s, spent time with the Bees last season before making his controversial move to Huddersfield in the summer.
Rhodes says a spell in the lower leagues with the likes of Brentford is preferable to playing reserves football: "Tommy hasn't really played much at Ipswich since dislocating his finger, and has not even been on the bench.
"It's his intention to come here and get some games under his belt. He's only 19, but wants to establish himself.
"Ideally my loan at Brentford would've been until the end of the season if it wasn't for my injury.
"My time at the club was vital to my development, and is much better to learn than playing in the reserves."
Smith, who is aiming to seal a place in the New Zealand World Cup squad, joined the Bees on an initial month’s loan last week and made his debut in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Carlisle.
Meanwhile, former Town chairman David Sheepshanks will unveil the FA’s plans for a National Football Centre at Burton later today. Sheepshanks, still a board member at Town, is set to be named chairman of the project.
Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday have named ex-Town backroom man Andy Rhodes as their new keeper-coach, despite Peterborough having confirmed him for the same role at London Road as recently as Saturday. Rhodes senior recently left Preston North End in the wake of Alan Irvine's sacking. Irvine is now the manager at Wednesday.