Keeper Crowe One of Four Released - Ipswich Town News

Town have announced the release of keepers Michael Crowe and Nick Hayes, midfielder James Blanchfield and striker or midfielder Monty Patterson.

Crowe, 22, joined the Blues academy as a full-time scholar from Norwegian side IK Start in 2012 and has been on the bench for the first team on 47 occasions but without ever making his senior debut.

Capped by Wales at U19 and U21 levels, Crowe was recently called into the senior squad for the first time by new manager Ryan Giggs without making his full international bow, but was left out of the squad announced yesterday.

Clacton-based Hayes, 19, who won three England caps at U17 level, has featured for the Blues U23s this season but has not been involved with the senior squad, while Town recently took up the option on fellow young keeper Harry Wright’s contract.

Southend-born Blanchfield, 20, who joined the academy from Arsenal in 2014, has had an injury-hit season and has also been unable to break into the Blues first team. A brief spell on loan at Aldershot after Christmas was curtailed by a knock, the midfielder having made only one sub appearance for the Shots.

New Zealand international Patterson joined Wellington Phoenix in his home country on loan in January with his summer release expected to follow.

The 21-year-old made one senior sub appearance for Town, in the Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace in August.

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