Young central defender Joe Robinson’s hard work and good attitude were rewarded when he was included amongst the senior side's subs for the first time for the recent 3-0 win at Charlton, according to manager Mick McCarthy.
Haverhill-born Robinson, who joined the academy as a schoolboy in 2008 and started as a full-time scholar in 2012, skippers the U21s and impressed McCarthy enough to be handed a one-year pro deal in the summer.
"Robbo’s one of those that got a contract because of his attitude and the way he goes about his job and his professionalism,” the Blues boss said.
"Did I ever think he was going play in the first team this year? No, and I’ve said this to him, I wouldn’t say anything to you guys I haven’t said to him.
"Did I think he’d be on the bench? No, but I thought he’d be brilliant for the U21s. He’s only just 19, Joe. He’s one of the younger ones and his attitude is just brilliant and he’s stuck at it and he’s just got better and better and better.
"Every game in the U21s he’s a seven out of 10, might never be a nine out of 10 but you get that consistent performance, he’s a consistent personality all the time.
"He trains well every day, so he deserved to be there. All right, so I was short of numbers because I’d lost Kevin Bru and Larsen Touré and I could have put Adam McDonnell on the bench or Myles Kenlock, but I put Joe on it because he deserved to be on it because for the way he’s been and trained every day. He’s great.”
McCarthy says Robinson, who can also play at left-back, breaking in the first-team squad will remind the other young players that he’s keeping a close eye on their progress.
"And it’s a lesson to all the other youngsters,” he added. "If they think I’m not watching training or I’m not aware of what’s going on then they’re much mistaken.”