x

Pablo Dropped - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle is leaving Spanish striker Pablo Couñago out of the squad travelling to Sheffield United on Saturday after another disappointing reserves performance. The former Celta Vigo man was substituted at half-time during last night's 1-0 defeat against Coventry.

Royle told the club site: "Pablo won't be in the 16 for the trip to Sheffield at the weekend.

"He was disappointing against Coventry, never got in the game and was taken off at half-time.

"That's the fourth time he has been substituted in the reserves lately and, although he doesn't like reserve team football, it's important for him to maintain a level of match fitness.

"Shefki and Benty are doing a terrific job for us up front, but if Pablo was turning in good performances in the reserves it would make it difficult for me not to give him a chance if a first team opportunity came along.

"It's not working out like that at the moment though, and other players are working hard to push for their chance, so consequently Pablo will not be involved in the squad this week."

Couñago's absence could lead to call-ups to the first team for either England U17 international Darryl Knights or Irish U19 Billy Clarke.

What to read next:

Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.
U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?
Gray in New Zealand Squad For U20 World Cup
Blues keeper Henry Gray has been named in the New Zealand squad for the U20 World Cup which gets under way in Chile later this month.
Akpom: Time to Kick On From Now
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes the Blues’ slow start to the season is not a cause for concern ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Town Host Table-Propping Blades Targeting First Win
Town host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United live on Sky on Friday evening looking to bring a number of unwanted records to an end (KO 8pm).
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
McKenna: I Can See the Thinking Behind Play-Off Expansion Proposal
Town manager Kieran McKenna says he can see the thinking behind the proposal to extend the Championship play-offs to six clubs.
McKenna: International Break Has Been Beneficial
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the international break has been useful to help some of the recent signings settle in, however, with a number of regular starters away it wasn’t possible to do too much directly working towards Friday’s home game against Sheffield United.
McKenna: The Next Challenge is Building a Team Supporters Enjoy Watching and Are Proud Of
Town boss Kieran McKenna says the challenge is now to build a team that the club’s supporters can enjoy watching and be proud of following a “difficult” transfer window in which the squad underwent greater change than had been anticipated.