Town defender Matt Clarke says he couldn’t believe it when his loan club Portsmouth were paired with the Blues in the FA Cup third round draw. The 19-year-old is ineligible for Saturday’s tie at Portman Road and will have split loyalties as he watches from the stands.
"I couldn't believe it when the draw happened," Clarke told BBC Radio Solent. "Out of 64 teams in the hat, the two you're involved with draw each other. It will be a weird place to be, but we'll see what happens."
On Thursday, Town boss Mick McCarthy confirmed that Clarke would be spending the rest of the season with Pompey, the academy product having joined the League Two club in August.
The Barham-born defender scored his first senior goal during Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Crawley and has so far made 19 starts and two sub appearances for Pompey, adding to his one Capital One Cup start and four Championship sub appearances for the Blues.
"I want to play my football here, so we'll see what the rest of the season brings,” Clarke added.
"I think I've come a long way from the early games in the season, where I did all right, but I was still learning different situations. Now, it's more of a structured performance and I know my role."