Blues boss Paul Jewell has revealed that Republic of Ireland U21 international Shane O’Connor has turned down the chance to join League Two new boys Crawley Town on a six-month loan. The 21-year-old, whose future looks certain to be away from Portman Road, was recently on trial with the Red Devils.
Jewell said: "They wanted to take him on a six-month loan but that’s a no-go. Shane doesn’t want to do that. As I’ve said before, if players don’t want to do anything we’re not forcing anybody out the door.”
O’Connor, who has a year left on his Town contract, still seems set to move on at some point with his agent now looking for alternative longer-term destinations.
The former Liverpool trainee, who has played only 16 minutes of first team football since the change of manager at Portman Road in January, appears some way from Paul Jewell's first team plans having been involved with the reserves squad during pre-season.