The sight of Teddy Bishop lining up on the right of midfield might become more familiar in the weeks to come with manager Mick McCarthy believing that the 18-year-old is capable of operating in a variety of roles.
Bishop has played most of his senior football in central midfield so far but replaced Paul Anderson on the right during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Wigan, having played the same position for the U21s in their 1-1 draw with Cardiff earlier last week.
"He’s not a winger as such but somebody who can play on the right-side of midfield,” McCarthy said. "There is a difference.
"I wanted him to play there in the U21s, it’s another string to his bow to play there. He played there at Blackpool.
"Teddy could play anywhere, I think, when he’s got the ball. It’s just understanding the position.”
The Town manager says it’s useful to have players who can play in several positions given the small squad at his disposal.
"I think we’ve got 22 players, I’m including Murph, Gerks and Luke Hyam [who are currently injured], and I think it’s important that they can play in a number of roles,” he added.
"Jonny Parr went and played wide left and scored the third goal at Millwall, so I think [it’s useful] them learning different positions.
"Certainly for Ted, he wouldn’t be an out and out winger, but he’d certainly be a threat playing there.”
Darren Ambrose, who played just off the main striker for the U21s last week, is a similarly versatile member of the squad.
"I just think Darren’s a good footballer, a capable footballer,” McCarthy continued. "He played on the right against Southampton, there’s no doubt that he can play on the left.
"But he’s not a winger, he’s somebody who will come and play on the inside and cause a threat that way. That’s a way we can play.”
Meanwhile, former Blue Danny Haynes, 27, is training with League One Gillingham having so far failed to find a club since his Notts County contract was terminated by mutual consent in December.