Osman Faces East Anglian Derby on Return to Town - Ipswich Town News
Russell Osman faces an East Anglian derby in his first game in charge of the U18s when the youngsters take on Norwich City at Playford Road on Saturday morning (KO 11am).
Former central defender Osman took charge of the academy’s senior side this week, taking on the position vacated by Mike Pejic earlier in the season.
Osman is delighted to be back at Portman Road 26 years after moving on during his playing days: "I’m enjoying being at a training ground having missed the banter, the giggles and the laughs.
"Some of the lads will have to be picked up and it will not always be easy but we have some talented youngsters here to work with.”
Town, who are still without injured pair Caolan Lavery and Nicolay Schrøder, will be looking to prevent the Canaries achieving a league double, the Norfolk side having won 1-0 on home soil in September. Norwich also won a friendly between the teams 2-1 in January.
Meanwhile, the reserve game against Watford scheduled for March 2nd has been postponed because the Hornets are in Youth Cup action that week. No new date has yet been set.
U18s: Cropper, Bennett, Whight, Jones, Meekings, McKeown, Winter, Scotcher, Burke, Carson, Tiofack, Maduako, O’Donnell, Acott, Lawrence, Simmons.
Photo: ITFC
What to read next:
Eight Youngsters Offered TermsTown have offered professional terms to eight youngsters including Rio Morgan (pictured), Nico Valentine, Gerrard Buabo and Leon Ayinde, while 18 of their U21s and U18s teammates have been released.
O'Shea: I'm Fully Committed to Town at the MomentCentral defender Dara O’Shea says he’s “fully committed to Ipswich at the moment” and wants to get the Blues back into the Premier League, the Republic of Ireland international having been linked with Wolves, Leeds United and a return to Burnley this summer.
Clarke: Slicker Will Bounce Back, He Has a Big FutureKeeper Cieran Slicker is one of three Town players who could win senior caps this evening - along with George Hirst, also with Scotland, and Nathan Broadhead with Wales - with Scots boss Steve Clarke having given the 22-year-old his backing for “a big future” following his tough international debut against Iceland on Friday evening.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Huni Camp to Lodge Appeal After Wardley DefeatJustis Huni’s manager Mick Francis says his team are to launch an official appeal to the WBA regarding the manner in which referee John Latham ended last night’s fight with Fabio Wardley at Portman Road.