Irish U21 international full-back or midfielder Shane O’Connor has joined Port Vale on loan until January 3rd. The 21-year-old could make his debut for the Valiants when they face Torquay at home on Friday evening.

O’Connor, who was also interesting Northampton, says he can’t wait to get going: "I'm really looking forward to my time at Port Vale.

"I need to be playing games and when the manager said I had the opportunity to go out on loan, it was an easy decision to make."

Vale boss Micky Adams says O'Connor comes in as cover for injuries: "Shane was available, and with him having a number of Championship games under his belt, we felt he would be a useful addition to the squad.

"With our current injury situation, I was determined to bolster the squad ahead of the transfer deadline, and I am very pleased to be able to bring a player of Shane's ability."

Speaking earlier today, with Northampton appearing the frontrunners to loan O'Connor, Blues boss Paul Jewell said young players in his position with their terms up at the end of the season need to be playing games: “I’m trying to get Shane to Northampton to give him some games there.

"Their caretaker-manager rang me yesterday, I rang him back but I haven’t heard back from him.

“I’m hoping for Shane’s sake he can go and play some games. Luke Hyam as well, I spoke to his agent and told him he needs to get fixed up because these lads need to play games.

"The clock is ticking for them at the end of the season and they need to go out in the real world, and they’re keen to do it because they’re good lads.

“The problem is that everybody wants people who have played games, experienced players, that’s what these lads are up against.”

In the summer, Cork-born former Liverpool trainee O'Connor turned down a six-month spell at Crawley, having decided against a temporary switch to Hereford United last season.

With the loan deadline 5pm, the only other business which appears likely to take place involving the Blues is striker Ronan Murray's one-month switch to Swindon Town.

Photo: Action Images

buryblue77 added 15:18 - Nov 24 Another one who has no future here! Another thing I've noticed is that Keane seemed very desperate to get rid of Magiltons signings and bring in his own and now likewise Jewellis doing the same. Too much too quick I feel. But as for O'Connor, hopefully he'll play himself into the managers plans as he did seem decent in what I'd seen, but sadly I feel it's just another exit for one of the previous regimes signings.

0

chopsitfc added 15:29 - Nov 24 Should of being playing every game before we signed cressy!! Still would like to see him on the left wing. Never gave up and always gives his all!!! Failing that stick him up front cant be anyone worse than what we have!!
0

ITFCMonk added 15:36 - Nov 24 Dont want him back, dont need him back..
0

Ipswich24 added 15:36 - Nov 24 Looked decent when given spell in team by Keane again could do with his youthful enthuisasm.
0

MattinLondon added 15:42 - Nov 24 How are they supposed to get experience if they don't get a chance or drop down the pecking order to loan signings from other clubs
0

Mutiny added 16:08 - Nov 24 How about sending Jewell out on loan. Would get rid of the biggest underachiever.
0

blueherts added 16:16 - Nov 24 I think Joe Whight is bigger prospect
0

TractorBeezer added 16:30 - Nov 24 I haven't seen much of Shane in action but have certainly been impressed wih what I have seen. Let's hope that he gains some valuable experience at Port Vale and comes back into the main squad at Ipswich. Good luck Shane!
0

Daleyitfc added 16:32 - Nov 24 Our best current player : disgraceful treatment. Left to rot in the same way as Matt Richards.
0

Surco72 added 16:34 - Nov 24 Matt Richards who went on to become a legend in the game at the highest standard ,good grief
0

nitroblue1970 added 16:45 - Nov 24 Talking of legends of the game...who backside did Ian Westlake disappear up?..a lot of promise then nothing!!!
0

sotd78 added 16:48 - Nov 24 Another youngster who was never given a decent chance. A run of ten games without being dropped is what is needed then judge him. He was fabulous against Leicester in the snow. Can't understand how the coaches make these decisions if the kids never play competitively.
0

rayado_ingles added 16:52 - Nov 24 BRING BACK JIMMY JUAN!
0

buryblue77 added 16:52 - Nov 24 Ian westlake is playing in the second tier of American 'soccer', not even good enough for the old duffers ground that is MLS! And Matt Richards has developed red eyes!!
0

buryblue77 added 16:54 - Nov 24 Ok link to picture didn't work but on wikipedia he's got red-eye from his photo, it's been a quiet afternoon at work so I thought it was funny!!
0

buryblue77 added 16:58 - Nov 24 Rayado-Jimmy Juan is now 28 and playing in the fifth level of french football, that given the comparison to league quality is like us signing a 28 year old from Bury Town!
0

nitroblue1970 added 16:59 - Nov 24 America has a another tier???? isnt that the ladies league? ...not that im sexist !
0

buryblue77 added 17:27 - Nov 24 Under 16's, ladies league is the MLS!!!
0

carsey added 17:43 - Nov 24 I've said this before on this and other sites - unless O'Connor has got some attitude problem we don't know about he should be in the team every week. I would much rather see him and other youngsters who really give a sh*t doing their best. If we get beaten so what- we get beaten anyway with the old crocks and journeymen who have landed at Portman Road over the past few years under Keane and now Jewell. If Lambert can do it up the road in Norwich we should be able to do it here.

0

mouldyoldough added 18:16 - Nov 24 Mutiny ...have to disagree leave permantley would be better option ! JLS ..Jewell leave suffolk
0

ITFC4daprem added 18:22 - Nov 24 hopefully will get some games and increase his confidence
0

fourth added 18:35 - Nov 24 Well. I hope he'll come back
0

mouldyoldough added 18:36 - Nov 24 Mutiny ...have to disagree leave permantley would be better option ! JLS ..Jewell leave suffolk
0

tomisamos added 19:09 - Nov 24 Giving him some first team experiance away from the pressure of a struggling, hostile, pressure-on championship team is probably quite an astute move. What if O'Connor played for us and made a couple of mistakes? We'd want his head on a plate too! As for the Matt Richards comment, what are you? Whenever he played the majority of fans moaned and he's hardly set the world alight since! Again, any excuse to criticise the manager from you lot!

0

alfromcol added 19:52 - Nov 24 Every time he played he added to the pace and excitement of the team, but was never given an extended run in the team. Another young talent wasted!! Good luck O'C just go on and prove RK and PJ wrong
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls