Town boss Roy Keane says he has no need to sign a replacement for Alex Bruce as he already has one in the shape of Wales U19 international Troy Brown. The 19-year-old central defender was the Blues’ man of the match in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to a Spurs XI, a performance typical of his displays in pre-season.

Keane says that the 6ft 1in tall centre-half has what it takes to replace Bruce, who recently joined Leeds, having made his first team debut as a sub in the final day defeat to Sheffield United last season: “We don’t need a replacement for Alex, we don’t need one. Troy’s impressed everybody this pre-season and we let Alex go for a reason.

“On Tuesday night he was the best player on the pitch from our point of view, Tottenham had some very good players. He has a very good habit for a defender of being in the right place at the right time.

“A lot of players get there when the ball’s gone but Troy seems to get there at the right time, which is a very good habit to have.”

London-born Brown recently signed a new one-year contract, having joined the Blues last summer after impressing both former manager Jim Magilton and then Keane during a trial after being released by Fulham’s academy.

Photo: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 12:03 - Aug 7 So is he ahead of Tommy Smith now?
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tom_the_blue added 12:09 - Aug 7 Great to see Keane has faith in the youngsters. This is a good policy to have, when an senior player leaves, nurture a young player to take him place. All the big clubs have done this in the past, and it may well help us. Where does this put Eastman in the pecking order?
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Youth added 12:25 - Aug 7 cone on ipswich well excited for boro match
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arc added 12:27 - Aug 7 And he can play RB as well, can't he?
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Fixed_It added 12:39 - Aug 7 McAuley's cover = Eastman Delaney's cover =Smith Bruce's cover = Brown All good, young, like-for-like replacements. It probably indicates that Brown will spend a lot of time on the bench - but his versatility as a defender will be useful.
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andy77 added 12:54 - Aug 7 Fixed_It Bruce has left, so Brown will get games
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Oxblue added 12:59 - Aug 7 Good to see youth being given a chance with Eastman,Smith,Brown these could part of defence for years to come.Well done Roy!!
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StowTractorBoy added 13:11 - Aug 7 Greatly impressed with Brown but not sure Eastman is ready yet
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Martus added 13:11 - Aug 7 No Andy77, u idiot, delaney and mcauley are 1st choice, as delaney is injured meaning smith will replace him. Bruce was back up, so now Brown is the backup replacing Bruce, while smith will be cover when delaney is fit and well. Simples xD
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Redmond added 13:48 - Aug 7 such a great player he will become, lets hope we dont rush him
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baznsez04 added 13:54 - Aug 7 worried about the lack of experience if G.M gets injured or banned. could be sink or swim time for the boys..
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Mungo added 15:08 - Aug 7 Step up and take your chance Troy!
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andy77 added 17:53 - Aug 7 Martus - K nob
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meekreech added 18:07 - Aug 7 If GM is injured Troy will be able to cover with no worries !!!! He is good enough to play in the 1st team now !
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jas0999 added 18:41 - Aug 7 I agree. Troy is as good as Bruce if not better. Only trouble is the lack of experience of some of these players.
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SurreyITFC added 19:06 - Aug 7 Keep focused & work hard Troy as I'm sure you will get your chances this season, starting on Tuesday @ Exeter. COYB - Keano Keano Keano
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suffolksam added 07:28 - Aug 8 i agree
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TractorMan added 08:02 - Aug 8 "A lot of players get there when the ball's gone but Troy seems to get there at the right time, which is a very good habit to have" Surely not talking about Bruce here? Late tackles and missing the ball were his speciality:)
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