TWTD understands that Shane O’Connor is on trial with League Two new boys Crawley Town. The 21-year-old was notable by his absence from the reserves side which won 3-2 at Bury Town last night, having previously been omitted from the pre-season tour of Holland.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international played on the left of midfield for Crawley in an 8-1 friendly victory at East Grinstead Town on Tuesday night and scored a goal.
O’Connor has a year remaining on his Blues contract but has always appeared likely to move on this summer having played only 16 minutes of senior football - as a sub in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal - since Paul Jewell took over as manager in January.
The Cork-born midfielder or left-back, who turned down a loan move to Hereford United last November, said last week that he’s happy at Town but was realistic about his prospects at Portman Road: "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.”
O’Connor was with Roy Keane's old Rockmount club as a youngster and was signed by the Blues’ former boss after a trial in the summer of 2009 having been released by Liverpool’s academy during the previous campaign.