Russell Osman says 15-year-old schoolboy Byron Lawrence wasn’t the least bit fazed by facing players in some cases three years older than him during last night’s 2-0 FA Youth Cup victory over Leeds. The Cambridgeshire-based youngster, who recently signed a two-year scholarship with the Blues starting next summer, impressed Town's U18s coach, although he says there are aspects of his game the midfielder needs to improve.

Osman said: “He wasn’t overpowered, wasn’t over-fazed. He’s very, very good isn’t he? He’s just got a little bit of learning to take on board about the side of the game when you haven’t got the ball.

“He’s a terrific player on the ball, very exciting, he has terrific ball retention skills, but when the team’s lost possession he has to do a little bit more for us every now and then. But it’s a learning curve for them all.”

Speaking last month, manager Paul Jewell said Lawrence, who was recruited from non-league Histon's youth set-up, could make the step up to first team level this season: “Byron Lawrence, the lad who was in the squad [for the Carling Cup match] against Northampton, he’s one who is a bright prospect and who reminds me of a Jack Wilshere-type player.

“He’s built that way, he uses his body and he’s a clever player. Whenever he trains with the first team he never looks out of place. He could feature this season.”

The Blues manager suggests the youngster, who qualifies to play international football for Italy as well as England, may even be a little cross he hasn’t already beaten Connor Wickham’s record of making his senior bow at 16 years and 11 days: “Put it this way, if I said to him now ‘you’re a sub on Saturday’, he’d be a bit annoyed that he was sub.

“That’s his attitude, he takes everything in his stride. He’s a good kid. I think he’ll be a very good player.”

Meanwhile, Blues striker Michael Chopra has been banned from driving for 56 days, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £80 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after admitting speeding at 106mph on the A12 near Colchester in September.

Photo: Action Images

BiGDonnie added 14:05 - Dec 7 I can't wait until Jewell let's this dudes contract run out and we lose him for a measly bit of compo. JEWELL OUT
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Garv added 14:18 - Dec 7 The image of him training with the first team I think is hilarious, having a kick-a-bout with the likes of Ingimarsson, Bowyer and Kennedy who are all old enough to be his dad!
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northernblues added 14:20 - Dec 7 Meanwhile, Blues striker Michael Chopra has been banned from driving for 56 days, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £80 costs and a £15 victim surcharge!!!!!!!!! who's the victim in speeding case
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Bleedingblue added 14:28 - Dec 7 The road? lol
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BlueMeAway added 15:16 - Dec 7 The chopra bit makes this article. "Read about this very promising 15 year old whos hungry to play in the first team and has an attitude we would want every player in an Ipswich shirt to have." "However, please be reminded of our current off the field problems that may affect Saturday's preformance."
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Garv added 15:28 - Dec 7 Why on earth would it affect Saturday's performance. I don't understand everyone using these 'off field problems' as causes for our bad form. So Chopra's been banned from driving for a couple of months, so what? When he gets a one on one on Saturday the fact that he's been banned from driving isn't going to determine whether he scores or misses is it? £1,000 isn't exactly going to hurt him either is it? Same with the gambling, he hasn't gambled since the Brighton game so why should it bother him when he's on the pitch? Maybe when he's at home on a day off yes but when the ball's at his feet on a Saturday the fact he has a gambling addiction doesn't determine whether his pass goes to a team mate or out for a throw. Sorry I don't buy all this 'off field problems having an affect on performance'. When you cross the white football is whats on your mind.

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Garv added 15:30 - Dec 7 Plus he scored two belters on the day of the Brighton game!!
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BlueMeAway added 15:31 - Dec 7 Garv. Im not saying it should. what I'm getting at is Jewell has used the excuse often enough, defending Edwards, Scotland and Chopra. I didnt want to mentionJewell as it would result in people accusing me of Jewell Outing.
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taylor15 added 15:36 - Dec 7 this kid looks to be a good prospect, just don't do anything stupid ipswich!
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suffolkpoker added 16:57 - Dec 7 sounds very promising, i like the sound of this kid. I am very sure Ipswich will look after him concerning contracts
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fourth added 17:16 - Dec 7 This under 18s is much more interesting than the First team at the moment. Clearly that Rugby man RO needs to bring his lads forward and come and manage them in the Premiership. No rush.
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Frase1987 added 17:58 - Dec 7 SELL ASAP PLEASE use the money to give Bowyer a longer contract and payrise.
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uplands added 20:53 - Dec 7 Watching the u18s is far more enthralling than watching the firsts. There's nice football played, vision, support, players desperate to get the ball , imaginative and creative
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churchmans added 22:58 - Dec 7 dude needs a haircut! looks a bas tad!
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