Academy schoolboy Byron Lawrence looks set to become the club’s second-youngest senior player before the end of the season with manager Paul Jewell confirming that he plans to give the 16-year-old “some game time” during the final four matches.

Lawrence, who was on the bench for the Carling Cup tie against Northampton in August, warmed up with the first team before the Leicester match on Monday and Jewell is likely to give him his debut in the next few weeks: “We’ll try and get him some game time, I think. He’s been off school for the last two weeks and he’s been training with us.

“You forget he’s only 16. We’ve got high hopes for Byron and we’ll try and get him some game time between now and the end of the season.”

If Lawrence, who qualifies to play international football for Italy as well as England, is involved at Crystal Palace on Saturday aged 16 years and 33 days, he’ll be younger than Jason Dozzell was when he made his first team debut — and scored — as a sub against Coventry in February 1984 at 16 years and 57 days old.

Connor Wickham became Town’s youngest-ever player when he came on as a sub in the 3-1 home defeat to Doncaster in April 2009.

Cambridgeshire-based Lawrence, who was recruited from non-league Histon's youth set-up and becomes a full-time scholar this summer, was previously described as a “Jack Wilshere type player” by Jewell and usually operates either wide in midfield or in the role behind the lone striker occupied by Lee Martin in the first team.

Meanwhile, Jewell is set to meet with Marcus Evans next Tuesday to discuss the situations of out of contract players including Grant Leadbitter, Jason Scotland and Lee Bowyer. Blues owner Evans is currently away on holiday in the Bahamas.

Photo: Action Images

ITFCed added 19:50 - Apr 12 fantastic
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clive_baker added 19:52 - Apr 12 Hope his footballing ability is better than his haircut. What a shocker.
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rosseden added 20:15 - Apr 12 *insert generic PJ doesnt know what he's doing quote here* whereas i think this will be interesting..... coule be a regular super sub next year if he can hold his own......
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PauloJulio added 20:16 - Apr 12 clive baker his haircut is like that because he is a fringe player lol
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pitseablue added 20:18 - Apr 12 Good to see PJ looking forward ! But there are sure to be some who will moan !!!!
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RegencyBlue added 20:21 - Apr 12 Lets hope Jewell handles him better than he has Hyam so far!
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red564 added 20:37 - Apr 12 Nice one Paulo. He won't last long.... I forsee a transfer to Arsenal. Hair today, gooner tomorrow.......
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Tractorog added 20:57 - Apr 12 Leave the boy alone about his hair... at least he has some. Let him untagged in Facebook with a mullet cast the first stone!
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safeashouses added 21:03 - Apr 12 Nice one PJ !!! Good attempt at winning public opinion and making fans believe the current management are actually interested in Young players. Feel sorry for the likes of Joe Whight,Cormac Burke,Cody Cropper not had a sniff so far.Still wish the lad good luck and hope if it works out he is made a fixture in the team next season.
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Garv added 21:03 - Apr 12 Good good. "He's been off school for the last two weeks and he's been training with us." That just doesn't sound right does it? He's training with players old enough to be his dad as well!
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Sindre94 added 21:13 - Apr 12 beautiful and IM THERE :D:D
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jas0999 added 21:17 - Apr 12 Great news! With nothing to play for (after a poor season) - it is absolutely right to bed in youngsters, but for players who are not going to be here next season - not those who are the future of ITFC. That was the error by PJ on Monday.
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BlueBadger added 21:36 - Apr 12 He'll get five minutes. Replacing Bowyer.
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Lightningboy added 21:50 - Apr 12 Just imagine Byron,carry on at this rate son and in a couple of years from now you could be playing for Sunderland's reserves (pardon the cynisism).
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Thetfordtractor added 21:59 - Apr 12 Great for the lad and good luck! I am sure the fans will give him a warm welcome. I think a haircut is in order though, he seems to have this three haircuts all on the same head style that kids love nowdays. PJ straight down the barber for a proper haircut pls!! Hope you play a stormer and see you next season!
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Karlosfandangal added 22:41 - Apr 12 Well if that is the case then the last 4 games we should see the youngsters playing Crooper in goal and the likes of Hyam and Carson playing in fact get Murray back from Swindon and give Wright a go Leadbetter and Bowyer should be dropped as they may not be with us next season, not knocking them but would still feel its worth playing fringe players even if they are staying at the club

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buryblue77 added 22:51 - Apr 12 clive baker comments on the state of a players hair with a picture of Ian Marshall for his avatar!
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buryblue77 added 22:53 - Apr 12 lightningboy, behave yourself!! lol
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itfcjc added 23:18 - Apr 12 Nice to know evans cares for us in the banamas Hope this kid is good Sign Scotland up Release bowyer Think leadbitter will go for more money. #itfc #coyb
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arc added 03:05 - Apr 13 The lad needs experience to toughen him up. A night out with Jimmy Bullard is called for.
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Langdon_Blue added 09:15 - Apr 13 Pitseablue - its too early to moan just yet....I believe the tried and tested reaction is to wait until Byron is dropped after gaining valuable experience, for the small minority to react with, 'treated him badly' or 'shattered his confidence' comments. As though once you pick a young player, you must never leave them out, ever again. Besides, trying youngsters out means possibly introducing some errors which any 16 year old is likely to make, therefore more chance of an Ipswich defeat. This is a 'win win' situation for the 'supporters' you are reffering to.

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MaySixth added 09:24 - Apr 13 PR stunt
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newboy added 20:09 - Apr 13 I predicted this one fool jewell on damage limitation putting in someone who is not ready for it just to pretend he is all for youth pathetic
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H1960 added 10:27 - Apr 14 He will be treated the way jewell handles all the young players......Hair today gone tomorrow!!
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