Out-of-favour Shane O’Connor has conceded that he may have to leave Portman Road in order to play regular football. The 21-year-old was left out of the 23-man squad which travelled to Holland for the pre-season tour last week with his only appearance under Paul Jewell’s management coming as a 74th minute sub in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg defeat at Arsenal.
O’Connor, who turned down a loan move to Hereford United last November, says he’s happy at Town but is realistic about his prospects: "I want to be playing for Ipswich and I will keep knocking on the door of the squad and the first team.
"I think I could do well in the Championship but different managers like different things and you have to respect that.
"I am not really sure what is going to happen. I am at an age where I want and need to be playing.”
The Republic of Ireland U21 international, who has made 15 starts and seven sub appearances for the Blues, has another year remaining on his contract. A player with Roy Keane's old Rockmount club as a youngster, O'Connor joined Town after a trial in the summer of 2009 having been released by Liverpool’s academy during the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, Doncaster striker Billy Sharp continues to be linked with the Blues in the wake of Town making an offer for a third new frontman of the summer. Boss Paul Jewell was still waiting for a response from the mystery player’s club as of Thursday evening, while an initial bid for a winger had been turned down.
Former Sheffield United man Sharp was the subject of an unsuccessful £2.3 million offer earlier in the summer, Jewell subsequently turning his attention to Michael Chopra and ruling out further overtures for the 25-year-old, who recently opted against a £3.25 million switch to Southampton.
Earlier in the week, the Doncaster media dismissed claims that Sharp and James Coppinger, also the subject of a previous Town bid, were the targets of Town’s more recent two offers.