Blues boss Paul Jewell says he’ll still be looking to win matches in the final weeks of the season despite intending to blood youngsters and give one or two fringe players a chance. Midfielder Byron Lawrence, 16, is amongst those who could be involved during the season’s remaining fixtures, although has not made the trip for today's game against Crystal Palace.

Jewell says he’ll still be looking to put out a competitive side in those matches: “I’ve said before I want to be respectful of people.

“The supporters have been terrific again this season and they’d like to see one or two youngsters in the team, and I understand that and they might well see one or two youngsters. But by the same token, we still want to win the matches.”

Places in the side will have to be won, Jewell insists: “Just because they haven’t played doesn’t mean that they’re just going to get a game. There are a lot of players who want to play who haven’t played a lot of games recently — Luke Hyam, Josh Carson.

“There are a lot of players who are keen to get in the team who haven’t got games. We haven’t got 10 youngsters who are going to set the world alight. It’s OK people saying ‘Throw the kids in’, the youngsters have got to earn that right to get in the team.”

We understand Lawrence will not be involved at Palace with his senior debut perhaps coming in either of the two home games against Birmingham and Millwall. Young defender Joe Whight was also not included in the first team party which travelled yesterday, the left-back taking part in the post-match presentations after the U15s match against Manchester United at Portman Road last night.

Striker Nathan Ellington has started only one league game this season, in addition to 14 sub appearances and two cup starts, and is yet to score a Town goal.

Jewell admits that his former Wigan player hasn’t been given too much of an opportunity but says the 30-year-old hasn’t shown enough on a day-to-day basis at Playford Road: “Nathan Ellington hasn’t had much of a look-in.

“He’s been given limited chances, to be fair to Duke. I see him every day in training and he hasn’t done enough otherwise he would have had a chance.

“I know what he’s been capable of and over the last couple of years he hasn’t shown that. He’s shown flashes and glimpses at times, but it hasn’t been enough.

“It’s been a stop-start season and he’s had a few little niggly injuries as well. The ball’s in the player’s court really.”

Jaime Peters, who like Ellington has another year left on his contract, has similarly been overlooked this season with the Canadian’s only appearance a start in the Carling Cup defeat to Northampton in August.

The 24-year-old, who spent a spell out on loan at Bournemouth late last year, is currently sidelined with a thigh strain.

Photo: Action Images

algarvefan added 08:41 - Apr 14 Fair comments Jewellio, lets at least see if we can end the season on a high note COYB!
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Karlosfandangal added 08:45 - Apr 14 Still need 2 wind and a draw to get more points than last year. If we win 2 and lose two we will have the same win draw lose ratio as last season, plus point will be we have scored more than last year minus point we will have let in more than last year. No progress on last year, lets hope the players have bedded in and we can have a fling start next year
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newboy added 09:20 - Apr 14 Aaaaah nice bit of twisting you and clegg have just sent another youngster packing with your behind the scenes antics it is getting to the point where questions are being asked and now you have to throw someone in who is nowhere near ready (yes I have watched him play) to try to pretend you are interested in youth you sad loser
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ThailandBlue added 10:20 - Apr 14 “Nathan Ellington hasn't had much of a look-in. “He's been given limited chances, to be fair to Duke. I see him every day in training and he hasn't done enough otherwise he would have had a chance “I know what he's been capable of and over the last couple of years he hasn't shown that. He's shown flashes and glimpses at times, but it hasn't been enough.!!!!!.... DOH. Why did you sign him up for then!!!!! If you knew all along that he was Crap !!!!!!!

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Len_Brennan added 11:07 - Apr 14 @Thailandblue: Because "he knows what he's capable of" so he was looking to recreate that, as he was his manager before. He came on a free transfer so he must have felt it was worth a gamble for an experienced 29 year old without paying a fee. You could have said the same about Jason Roberts, who is older & had shown nothing for a similar period before joining Reading (on loan) and look how that has worked out - masterstroke. Sometimes the gamble pays off and you're a genius, other times you get The Duke, sigh.

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tractorboy2434 added 11:15 - Apr 14 Ellington, what he means to say is I made a big mistake, he was rubbish at Watford and they could'nt believe their luck when we went for him, just another in a long line of costly mistakes, I firmly believe that if money was'nt an issue he would have been sacked already, pity Evans can't see that we are just wasting more and more time, we are going nowhere fast under Jewell.

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bluesimon added 11:25 - Apr 14 Excellent. Good to see that we are only playing those who deserve to play...
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jas0999 added 11:27 - Apr 14 Whether people like it or not - whether they wand to 'kid' themselves (excuse the pun!) ... PJ IS NOT the type of manager who relies or likes young players - his transfer policy last Summer should tell you that. He's also partial to a loanee or three. Anyone who thinks PJ woke up one day and thought 'I know I'll sign youngsters from now on' is deluded. This was clearly more spin from the ITFC PR! How many youngsters has he signed since that? None. Today's game is pointless. Win, lose - no matter. The fact is it's been a poor season and even if we win our last four games (with no pressure on the players) - progress will have been poor. PJ had a half season and a full pre season prior to this year to improve. We haven't. In fact if anything we have moved backwards with high earning oldies either on our books or paid off. No point selecting players who won't be here next season - may as well try the youth. Would prefer that. Sadly PJ prefers 30 year + players.

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BlueBadger added 14:19 - Apr 14 Ironically, given the headline, we've performed far worse when the pensioners have played.
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Pique added 19:49 - Apr 14 God, is Jaime Peters still only 24? If he's still here in 2015, he'll be due a testamonial!
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newboy added 08:15 - Apr 15 Really change the record did you read what H32 wrote no one believes you anymore you are running the 'kids' out of the club what about academy boy simmons could not stand being there anymore and walked I heard he is wearing a colchester shirt now get out of our club and take your muppet mate osman with you
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