Midfielder Kundai Benyu says he’s put last season’s problems behind him and is targeting breaking into the Town first team.
The 18-year-old has been on the senior side’s bench on four occasions, twice in the Championship in the 2014/15 campaign, including the Norwich derby at Carrow Road, and twice in the League Cup last season, but so far but without making his first-team debut.
In the summer the Camden-born youngster played for Spurs in an U19s tournament in Holland at his own request and manager Mick McCarthy said his future at Town was in his own hands.
"That’s up to him with his attitude and his approach to football and being here. It’s down to him, he’s got ability,” the Town boss said in July.
McCarthy subsequently revealed that Benyu had apologised to him and now the academy product says that’s all behind him and he's hoping he can get back in the Blues boss’s first-team plans.
"It's my fault really,” he admitted to the club website. "I had an attitude problem last season which put the gaffer off using me but I've apologised now and we're on good terms again so it's all good now.
"I was out for about four-and-a-half months [with a knee injury] too so my season last year was a bit stop and start. I'm alright now. I'm all fit and well and I'm looking to push to get back in the first-team this season.
"The main goal is to break into the first team and play Championship football but the FA Cup is coming up soon so maybe I can get a look in in that.
💥💥💥 BANG! @kundaibenyu_ scored this screamer of a free-kick for Town's U23 side earlier today #itfc
All the goals to follow soon âš½ pic.twitter.com/vWHiW689jz– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) November 14, 2016
"I'm out of contract at the end of the season but hopefully at some point in the season I'll be able to renew here for another couple of years.
"Speaking to the gaffer about it is on my to-do list but hopefully if I keep playing well and get into the first team again then it will ‘persuade’ him to offer me something. That's the aim, anyway.”
Benyu picked up an assist and a goal - a freekick curled into the top corner - in Monday's 4-2 U23s defeat to Charlton at Playford Road.