Manager Mick McCarthy admits he’s disappointed that striker Jack Marriott, who rejoined Vanarama Conference Premier side Woking for a third spell last week, is yet to be given a run of games in the Football League.
Marriott, who scored 13 goals in 23 starts and one sub appearance during two spells at the Kingfield Stadium last season, netted on his third debut for the Cards as they lost 3-2 at home to Kidderminster last Saturday and also started the 1-0 victory over Nuneaton in midweek.
The 20-year-old had a brief spell at League One Gillingham last season in which he made one fleeting sub appearance and shortly before rejoining Woking completed a month at League Two table-proppers Carlisle, where he failed to net in three starts and two sub appearances.
"It’s been a bit stop-start for Jack,” McCarthy admitted. "He was flying at Woking last season, he loved it, they love him.
"He came back to us and we were trying to get him in the league. Gillingham took him but in the position they were in it didn’t work out.
"And I guess it was similar with Carlisle, one manager took him and left, so he’s come back and he’s gone back to Woking, not quite his spiritual home as such, but it feels like that because he’s done so well there.”
The Town boss is disappointed that the academy product, who has made one Capital One Cup start and two Championship sub appearances for the Blues, is still to get significant Football League experience under his belt.
"A little bit, but he has to get in the team,” he said. "I’m a realist, I don’t sit here whinging that a manager has left.
"If he goes to that club and he rips it up and he’s the best player, they’ll play him, no doubt.
"So, that’s what he’s got to do. He did it at Woking, has he done it at a league club yet? We can all bemoan what might have happened, he’s got to go and get in the team.”
Woking, who are fifth in the Vanarama Conference, are in action at Southport on Saturday afternoon.