Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s looking forward to working with new centre-half Josh Yorwerth.
The 20-year-old Wales U21 international, who was on trial with the Blues at the end of last season and featured in three U21 matches, signed a two-year-deal with an option for a third season having been released by Cardiff in May.
"He’s a centre-back from Cardiff,” McCarthy said. "He came and trained with us towards the end of last season.
"He’s a good defender, I would say. Big and tall with a bit of pace, he can play a bit out of the back and is a really good competitor.
"He just struck me as somebody who would be good for our squad. So we signed him and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Week one done of preseasonðŸ‘ðŸ¼âš½ï¸ Ireland Monday for first preseason friendly.. #itfc #tractorboys
— Josh Yorwerth (@Joshyorwerth_) July 4, 2015
In addition to Yorwerth and full-backs Myles Kenlock and Josh Emmanuel, McCarthy included a number of other youngsters in first-team pre-season training this week. Those that impressed could be involved in next week’s training camp at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare and the Town boss hopes one or more might make the same impact that Teddy Bishop did last season.
"Dylan Connolly, probably Kundai Benyu, Kyle Hammond, Joe Robinson, there’ll be a few of them who will be joining us [for training], Adam McDonnell,” he said speaking at the start of pre-season on Tuesday.
"I’ll be picking a few to come with us to Ireland because Murph and Didz and Christophe won’t be there. They’ll come and train with us and, who knows, sometimes one of them steps up and gets in the squad.”
Feet up after today's blow🙈💨 first week off pre season done. Looking forward to going home tonight & next week in Irelandâš½ï¸
— adam mc donnell (@AdamMcDonnell97) July 4, 2015
Irish midfielder McDonnell, 18, has confirmed that he will be making the trip back home and is likely to face his and Connolly’s old club Shelbourne in the Blues’ first pre-season friendly at Tolka Park next Saturday.
Midfielder Kevin Bru is also expected to join up with the squad in time for the trip to Ireland having been given an extra week off after being away on international duty with Mauritius earlier in the summer.