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Stewart Stays Behind - Ipswich Town News

Winger Cameron Stewart has been left out of the 22-man Town squad which is spending the week training at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare.

Manager Mick McCarthy and his squad, including a number of youngsters, made the trip to Ireland for their annual training camp on Monday and face Dublin side Shelbourne in their first pre-season friendly at Tolka Park on Saturday (KO 3pm).

As in previous years, McCarthy is expected to field a different XI in each half against what's likely to be largely an U19s Shels side.

Since the squad left, Stewart has posted a photo of himself on social media in London with his former Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck.

The 24-year-old was back at Playford Road last week having had a disappointing first season with the Blues, after joining on a free transfer from Hull City last summer.

After a proposed move to Leeds, which could yet lead to a transfer embargo for the Whites, broke down, the Mancunian wideman signed a three-year deal at Portman Road.

However, having broken his jaw late in pre-season, Stewart was unable to win a place in the Town side and his only Blues appearances to date are the two sub appearances in the FA Cup ties against Southampton. Late in the season he joined Barnsley on loan.

Speaking last week, manager Mick McCarthy wasn’t entirely ruling him out of his plans - "He’s got to get his nose down and see if he can get in the team, see if he can get in the squad first” - but with loan wingers Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles joining the likes of Jay Tabb, Dylan Connolly and Alex Henshall in the squad - and all travelling to Ireland - it would be little surprise if the former England U17, U19 and U20 international was off-loaded before the start of the season.

Stewart could be involved with the U21 squad which plays a friendly at Leiston on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Meanwhile, Noel Hunt, 32, released by the Blues at the end of last season, has also remained in Suffolk and has spent the week training with the Blues youngsters at Playford Road.

Hunt was offered the chance to get himself fit with Town by manager Mick McCarthy while he searches for a new club.

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