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Bennett Only Scholar to Be Offered Contract - Ipswich Town News

Right-back or midfielder Callum Bennett is the only one of the Academy’s second-year scholars who will be offered a professional contract. The seven youngsters whose scholarships are up this summer met with Academy manager Sammy Morgan and U18s coach Russell Osman to learn their fates this afternoon.

Central defender Jide Maduako, Wales U17 international midfielder Elliot Scotcher, Republic of Ireland U17 international keeper Conor O'Donnell, Yarmouth-based full-back or midfielder Aaron Jones and Republic of Ireland U17 international striker Carel Tiofack have all been released.

Norwegian central defender Nicolay Schrøder has been handed an extension to his time at Playford Road until January 2013 having spent much of his scholarship sidelined with tendinitis.

Another second-year scholar, left-back Joe Whight, was handed a two-year professional deal last summer.

Morgan says giving the news is the most difficult aspect of working with youngsters: "It's the hardest part of the job for Russell and I.

"We have worked with the boys for two years, longer in many cases, and it's hard to sit down with them and tell them we have to let them go - but decisions have to be made.

"The manager will speak to Callum about professional terms and Nico will stay with us until January because of the injury he had last year.

"We will circulate the names of the others and try and help them get fixed up with a club. Just because we have not given them a contract, it doesn't mean they won't stay in the game. There are plenty of examples of players being released who have gone on to have good careers in football."

Bennett, a former Kesgrave High School pupil who has also operated at centre-half, first played for the Blues at U9 level.

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