Boss Mick McCarthy believes first-year pro Monty Patterson's loan spell with Vanarama National League side Braintree Town will "help him no end".
The 19-year-old New Zealand international, who is yet to make a senior appearance for Town, joined the Iron on Tuesday and made his debut as a 77th minute sub in their 3-2 win at Woking that evening.
The striker or midfielder, who recently scored his first international goal as the All Whites drew 1-1 in a friendly against the USA, could make his first start for the Essex club when they face Solihull Moors at home on Saturday.
"Monty’s been doing OK, but he’s not ready for the first team yet,” McCarthy said.
"I know he went away and scored at international level and people will be saying that we’ve not scored and why [did we let him go to Braintree], I’ve heard that already.
"He’s not ready to play in the first team, that’s why. Playing at Braintree at that level will help him no end.”
A day prior to making his one-month youth loan, Patterson came on as a sub as the Town U23s lost 1-0 to Cardiff City at Portman Road.
Asked if anyone particularly impressed him in that game, McCarthy said: "A few of theirs did.”
Town were second best throughout and the Blues manager admitted it wasn’t a great showing: "It wasn’t. That’s what I said, a few of theirs impressed me, they played well, it was a good performance by Cardiff.”
The U23s are next in action on Monday afternoon when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road (KO 2pm).