TWTD understands that Town contract rebel Caolan Lavery is on trial with Premier League Sunderland. The former academy striker recently turned down a six-month professional deal with the Blues and has subsequently held talks with Bradford City and spent time on trial with Leicester City.
Lavery, whose two-year academy scholarship was extended until his 19th birthday in October after he suffered a serious knee injury last season, is staying with his ex-Town team-mate Connor Wickham while he tries to win himself a deal with the Wearsiders.
The Canada-born frontman, who qualifies to play international football for Northern Ireland’s U21s via his parents, was understood to have been unhappy with the wages on offer at Portman Road, which were believed to be below those of a number of his contemporaries.
In addition to Sunderland, Leicester and Bradford, Aston Villa monitored his progress in the early part of the season, while Town were looking to send him out on loan to Rochdale prior to his decision to move on. Links with Tottenham were dismissed last season.
Lavery netted five goals in seven FA Premier Academy League games for Town’s U18s during the early stages of this campaign, plus a further four for the reserves.
Having offered the contract, Town are entitled to compensation from the club Lavery eventually decides to join.