Cameron Humphreys is set to continue his fledging career in tomorrow’s Papa Johns Trophy final group game at Cambridge United as Town look to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition.
Wins over both Northampton Town and Arsenal U21s at Portman Road have all but ensured the Blues’ progress and manager Kieran McKenna, with one eye firmly on Friday’s key live-on-Sky home league game against Derby County, has confirmed it will be a young side on show at the Abbey Stadium.
Humphreys, who turns 19 on Sunday week, said: "We’ve had a good start in the competition, winning both our games so far, not conceding any goals and scoring a few.
"I’m pleased to have been part of the team and we’ve put in two good performances to be successful so far in the competition.”
Humphreys is keen to advance in what he sees as a good opportunity for young players to showcase their skills. "Yes, exactly,” he added. "I want to play as many games as I can this season and with the team going so well in the league, the cup opportunities will be important for me and other players to stay match fit and be ready if and when needed.”
Asked if he dared to dream of going all the way to Wembley, he was cautionary with his reply. "It’s something we want to aim for and it would be great if we got there,” he said, "but at the moment we’re just looking at this game against Cambridge and then, of course, Friday’s league game against Derby.
"It’s the old saying — take each game as it comes — but obviously the end goal is to get to Wembley and win.
"If it did happen it would mean a great deal to me. I would think every footballer’s dream is to go and play at Wembley, the national stadium, in a cup final.
"For me, if I did it with Ipswich it would mean an awful lot because I’ve been at the club since I was seven or eight years old.
"But for the time being it just has to be about tomorrow night’s game at Cambridge and making sure we win through to the knockout stage of the competition.
"There’s still a fair way to go, and a few matches to be won, before we can start talking about Wembley. A good performance and result at Cambridge are all that matters right now.”
Humphreys, who signed a new three-year deal with Town in June, has so far clocked up seven first team appearances, including one start, and his only two League One outings came last season, coincidentally both against Charlton, when he was called off the bench late in the game on each occasion.
Does he feel part of McKenna’s senior squad and is he comfortable being around the more senior players? "The senior players have been really good to me and that includes those who play in the same position, skipper Sam Morsy, Lee Evans and Dom Ball,” he continued.
"All three are very good, experienced professionals and I’ve been able to learn a lot from them. I do feel like I’m part of the group. I’ve been able to train with them pretty much every day since pre-season, so I’ve got to know them and they’ve got to know me better. I feel as if I’ve settled in well and I’m happy with where I am right now.
"Generally, the club is going in a good direction and young players like me have to be able to show the ability and the character to step up a level.
"I have to say the senior players have helped me through being supportive and helping in all sorts of ways.
"They’ve been young players themselves so they know what it’s like to make the step up and they appreciate the challenge that any young player is faced with if he wants to progress to the top. It’s a part of the process that I’ve really enjoyed.
"It has been a collective effort. The three I mentioned earlier have been really helpful and in the few games I have played this season so far, I’ve played alongside Dom and he has helped me both on and off the pitch, whether it’s been putting in some extra work after training or chatting to me about the tactical side of the game.
"Richard Keogh as well, I’ve spoken a fair bit to him too. Everyone has been happy to help, really.”
Asked what sort of things he is learning from his senior colleagues, Humphreys added: "They’ve been around a lot longer than I have and they have experienced a great deal in their careers, whereas I’m just at the beginning and I have a lot to learn.
"If it’s about the tactical side of the game or about how I’m doing something, and they can see how I could be more efficient and effective, they will let me know.
"Even if it just means checking on me and making sure I’m okay, they have taken it upon themselves to look after me and make sure all is well. It’s little things really, nothing too major, but it means a lot to receive their support and I’m very grateful for it.”