McCarthy: Lawrence is Ready for the Premier League - Ipswich Town News
Town boss Mick McCarthy believes loanee Tom Lawrence is ready to play in the Premier League next season after a successful season in the Championship with the Blues.
The 23-year-old Wales international, named the club’s Players’ Player of the Year on Tuesday, has made 34 starts and two sub appearances during his spell with the Blues, scoring 11 times. McCarthy has confirmed he has played his last game for Town as he will miss Sunday’s match at Forest with an ankle problem.
"I don’t see why not, he’s been excellent for us,” McCarthy said when asked whether Lawrence is ready to make the step up to the top flight after spending most of the last three seasons on loan in the Championship with Yeovil, Rotherham, Blackburn and Cardiff prior to the Blues.
"That doesn’t make him a Premier League player but he’s stood out in this league against a lot of teams.
"He’s scored some very good goals against some of the stronger teams in the league as well.
"There was one stage when he was keeping our heads above water with his goals and his performances.
"Yes, I think he could, in my opinion. I hope he gets that chance, whether that’s at Leicester or somewhere else.”
So far Lawrence’s only Premier League experience has been three sub appearances for Leicester at the end of the 2014/15 campaign, having joined the Foxes from Manchester United the previous summer, and one start for the Red Devils on the final day of the previous campaign.
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