Town are reported to have released striker Dean Bowditch. The 21-year-old's contract is up this summer and an extension to his Portman Road stay looked unlikely after he spent much of the season out on loan with Brighton and Hove Albion and Northampton and failed to make a senior appearance for the Blues.

The Harlow-born frontman joined the academy as a schoolboy and was already a sub for the U17 side – which included the likes of Darren Bent, Darren Ambrose and Ian Westlake - which won the FA Premier Academy final in 2001 when only a 14-year-old.

Bowditch, who won England caps at U16, U17 and U19 levels while with the Blues, started his three-year full-time scholarship in the summer of 2002.

The striker signed his first professional deal in July 2003, having dramatically made his senior debut four months earlier in a 2-0 victory over Norwich at Carrow Road in which he came on as a sub and played a part in both goals.

His first senior goal came early the next season against Kidderminster Harriers and when he notched a hat-trick in a live Sky match against Watford at Portman Road, he seemed destined for a fine career with the Blues.

However, Bowditch found it hard to tie down a role in Joe Royle's side and in 2005 was sent on a loan spell at Burnley. A short-term move to Wycombe followed as the 5ft 11in tall striker's career began to drift.

The appointment of Jim Magilton as manager and Bowditch's academy mentor Bryan Klug as first team coach saw him return to the side early in the 2006/07 season, but again he slipped out of the picture and by Christmas he was out on loan at Brighton.

Injury curtailed his time at the Withdean Stadium and he underwent groin surgery in the summer, missing pre-season. Spells on loan at Northampton and Brighton followed and, despite a hat-trick and four goals in his final two reserves league games, he failed to make a Town first team appearance during 2007/08.

Brighton are likely to be amongst the clubs interested in signing Bowditch permanently, while Stevenage Borough, Barnet and Rushden and Diamonds, regular visitors to Town reserve games in recent months, are also claimed to be interested.

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