Ronan Murray netted twice and Reggie Lambe once as Town's U18s won 3-2 at Crystal Palace on Saturday morning. Striker Connor Wickham missed out through injury, depriving several Premier League scouts of another chance to watch him in action.

TWTD understands that Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham are amongst a number of Premier League clubs who have been keeping tabs on the 15-year-old frontman this season. However, they were unable to add to their knowledge of him at Palace after he was injured in the warm-up.

If any of the watching clubs firm up their interest, then Town could be in a position similar to the one in which Palace found themselves with John Bostock a year ago.

Clubs are unable to sign players on professional contracts until after their 16th birthdays, which last season led to Palace academy schoolboy Bostock joining Tottenham when he turned 16, much to chairman Simon Jordan's annoyance.

Wickham, an England U16 and U17 international who Town included on the first team bench for the Chesterfield FA Cup tie, is 16 on March 31st but can't sign a contract until he is 17 in a year's time. We understand that talks are ongoing regarding a professional deal with Town.

After Bostock signed for Spurs, the Professional Football Compensation Committee set an initial fee of £700,000, up to an additional £1.25 million at various appearance milestones and £200,000 after a full international appearance, while the Eagles will receive 15% when Bostock is sold on.

U16s also faced Crystal Palace this weekend and lost 1-0 and now haven't won since the end of November.

U18s: Ward, Hyam, Dunbar, Cawley, Eastman, Ainsley, Clark, Griffiths, Murray, Lambe and Daniels (Clemo). Unused: Fuller, Brandon and Capocci.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls