Boss Paul Jewell has hit out at midfielder Lee Martin for his disciplinary record which has seen him pick up three suspensions since the change of manager at Portman Road in January. The former Manchester United man has been training with the reserves since being sent off for a reckless, if perhaps not actually illicit, challenge at Peterborough on Saturday.
Jewell said: "He’s got to earn the right to start training with the first team again because I’ve had enough with his disciplinary record. It’s not as if he’s the most battle-hardened midfielder, is it?
"I don’t mind players getting booked for honest challenges, but Lee’s are always silly and petty. I’ve had enough of that nonsense.
"Whether his was actually a sending off is debatable, but he’s given the referee the opportunity to do it.
"It was not a very mature tackle and the fact that he got clapped off afterwards really winds me up.
"Lee is a player who has done well for me, but he missed too many games for me last season due to indiscipline and now he’s going to miss another three games.”
Last season Martin was booked 11 times and sent off for a rash challenge at Bristol City. The 24-year-old faces a three-game ban for his latest dismissal.