Boss Mick McCarthy felt 17-year-old right-back Kyle Hammond was one of those who impressed during the second half of Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Notts County. The Ipswich-born second-year scholar has been a regular member of the pre-season first team squad, along with fellow youngsters Amir Berkane, a midfielder who is also a second year, and left-back David October, a first-year professional.
McCarthy saw the friendly at Meadow Lane as a very much a game of two halves, having made seven changes at the break.
He admits that that didn’t make things easy for the players coming on and believes some players made more of an impression than others: "It’s difficult because they played in a completely changed team.
"When you start from the beginning and the way we did, it’s all cohesive and it looks like a good unit.
"We made the changes and then I’m looking for some of the younger ones and some of them to say ‘Come on gaffer, I’m playing’.
"One of them who was great was Kyle Hammond. He was different class. I love him, he’s a great kid. But I’ve said to one or two others, that’s not going to get in my team, and they know that.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy says 18-year-old winger, Jack Doherty, who recently signed from Waterford United, is very much viewed as a player for the future rather than one he expects to make an immediate impact: "He’s one not for now. Jack’s not for now.
"I hope he is, I hope he comes through and flies, but coming from where he’s come from he needs strength and weight programmes, although he’s all right. He’s only a little ‘un but he’s got really good ability.”
Town's U21s are in action in a pre-season friendly against Colchester at Playford Road this afternoon with the public welcome to attend (KO 2pm). Entry is free.