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McLoughlin on Trial at Braintree - Ipswich Town News

Young Blues striker Shane McLoughlin is on trial with Braintree Town and played for the Iron in last night’s 3-1 friendly defeat to Barnet at Cressing Road.

McLoughlin, 20, impressed the Vanarama National League South side’s fans, winning their post-match man of the match Twitter poll.

The Blues took up a one-year option on the former Irish U18 international’s contract at the end of last season.

McLoughlin ended 2016/17 on loan with Bromley and the frontman is likely to benefit from another spell out on loan in order to gain further first-team experience.

Also currently on trial with the Iron is defender Joe Robinson, who was released by the Blues at the end of last season. Another former Town youngster, full-back Ben Wyatt, netted the Essex side’s goal late in last night's game.

Meanwhile, Aldershot boss Gary Waddock says he will make a decision on whether to take young Blues defender Pat Webber on loan before his team take on AFC Wimbledon in a friendly on Friday.

He plans to speak to his former Millwall and Republic of Ireland team-mate Mick McCarthy in the next few days.

Webber, 18, has been one of a number of trialists with the National League Shots and featured in three of their friendlies before returning to the Blues ahead of last night's game at Colchester when he was an unused sub.

"We are getting closer to where we want to be and I 100 per cent want to make decision before Wimbledon,” Waddock said.

"Pushing it back further wouldn't be fair on us and wouldn't be fair on them.”

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