x

Stewart Delighted to Be Facing Town - Ipswich Town News

Former Blue Marcus Stewart says he is delighted that his Exeter side have drawn Town in the first round of the Carling Cup. Stewart, who has announced that the coming season will be his last as a player, was one of the stars of George Burley’s promotion-winning and UEFA-qualifying team at the start of the century.

The 37-year-old, who coaches as well as plays at St James’ Park, said: "I am really glad we have drawn Ipswich because it will be the last time I get to play against them.

"It is a great draw for everyone at the club. It is always nice to get big clubs down to St James' Park and Ipswich are a big club.

"They were in a false position last season, they should be in the top six of the Championship year in, year out and knocking on the door of the Premier League.

"I had my best times as a footballer at Ipswich and it was there that I made my name. It is always exciting coming up against one of your former clubs and whether I am playing or on the sidelines helping out, I will have some kind of influence on the game."

The tie is likely to be played on Tuesday 10th August with another former Blue, local boy Richard Logan, also likely to be in the Grecians side.

Elsewhere, former Town trialist Emilio Izaguirre, who is currently in action at the World Cup with Honduras, is set to join Premier League Wigan from Montagua in his home country.

The left-back or left midfielder was with the Blues during pre-season ahead of the 2008/09 season.

Osman Chávez, one of Izaguirre's Honduran World Cup team-mates, was linked with the Blues last season.

Meanwhile, Town's possible home friendly with Spurs definitely won't take place on August 2nd, the date previously mentioned for the proposed game, even if it goes ahead as the Premier League side have announced a match against Benfica for the following day.

What to read next:

Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.
Blues Beaten By Hammers in Behind Closed Doors Friendlies
Town played two 60-minute behind-closed-doors friendlies with West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground this afternoon.
Halajko New Director of Football Operations, Chenery Appointed Academy Manager
Dmitri Halajko, previously Town’s academy director, has been appointed the new director of football operations, TWTD having revealed Gary Probert’s departure for a job at Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Ben Chenery has been named academy manager.
Town Women Sign Striker Dean
Ipswich Town Women have signed striker Rianna Dean following her Southampton exit at the end of last season.
Chaplin: Opener at Birmingham One to Look Forward To
Ipswich Town’s season opener against Birmingham City is a clash that the whole squad are looking forward to, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Fourteen Sign Contracts Ahead of WSL2 Campaign
Town have confirmed that 14 players have signed new contracts with the women’s side for the WSL2 season ahead.
U21s in Action at Needham
Town’s U21s are in friendly action against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at Bloomfields this evening (KO 7.45pm).
Town Women to Host Villa U21s in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women will play a friendly against WSL side Aston Villa’s U21s at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August (KO 2pm).
Town Yet to Open Young Talks
TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.