Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s confident that 18-year-old James Blanchfield will make the grade and will make a contribution during the season ahead.
Blanchfield travelled with the senior squad on a couple of occasions last season and was handed the number 43 squad number but didn’t break into a matchday 18.
The central midfielder, who signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season earlier in the month, was with Arsenal’s youth set-up for eight years before joining the Blues in July 2014, having previously spent time on trial with Manchester United.
After impressing McCarthy having come on as a late sub in the 2-1 win at Shelbourne on Saturday, Southend-born Blanchfield played the second half of Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Barnet in an unfamiliar right-sided role with his neat passing again catching the eye.
"Blanch has always been one that I’ve fancied would come through, that I know will come through because he’s a good player,” McCarthy said.
"He’s progressing physically as well. Twelve months ago he looked like a skinny kid, but he’s put some shoulders and some beef on him now and he can handle this.
"Technically he’s very good and I think he’ll contribute to the season. I like him, I think he’s a good player.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy is pleased that another young midfielder, 19-year-old Adam McDonnell put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with an option for a further season earlier in the week.
"I thought he did well at the end of last season, played against Derby and had a good game,” the Blues manager said. "He’s still got some progression in him, so it’s nice to have him tied up.”