Blues boss Paul Jewell says French trialists Plaisir Bahamboula and Soualio Bakayoko have impressed during their week with Town. The pair came on in the second half of yesterday’s 1-1 friendly draw at Helmond Sport.

Jewell said: “Soualio and Plaisir have been with us since last Monday and they’ve trained very well. They’re only young boys, 21, and it’s a good opportunity for us to have a look at them.”

Left-sided winger Bahamboula started his career with French club Souchaux during which time he attracted the interest of Newcastle United after impressing in the final of the Gambardella Cup, which is much like the FA Youth Cup.

Having spent three seasons in the Souchaux B side, which plays in CFA Groupe B (fourth tier), Bahamboula joined Royal Antwerp in Belgium last year but failed to break into the first team and was released.

Born in Corbeil in France and capped by the French three times at U19 level, Bahamboula also qualifies to play international football for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Left-back Bakayoko began his career with hometown club Paris FC before joining Châteauroux and playing for their B team in CFA 2 Groupe D (fifth tier).

Bahamboula

Jewell is pleased with the way all his squad are applying themselves at their training camp: “Coming to Holland for a team like Ipswich is almost like a home game — it’s less travelling than anywhere in England.

“It’s a really good facility we’ve got. We’re only here for five days. We worked them exceptionally hard, morning and afternoon yesterday.

“But it’s not about today, it’s about getting them fit, getting them in the right condition and frame of mind and getting the new players - although we haven’t got as many as we’d like but that will be changing - to bed in during some time away.”

Bakayoko

While Jewell says it’s nice to win pre-season matches, it’s not the main issue and last night’s opposition have been back in training longer than the Blues: “They’ve been training for four weeks, so they’re ahead of us.”

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 08:46 - Jul 18 Hopefully they turn out to be good for us. No transfer fees so it could be good business all round.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 09:08 - Jul 18 The dreaded compensation for u24s again!! Although it is nice to see our scouting network branching further than the Emerald Isle, as it did under the previous regimes. The French are all taught to play the right way, too!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:23 - Jul 18 Sign 'em up, I say! Both looked young, fit, and hungry. The lad on the left impressed me a lot. I'd love to see us with a fast winger slinging in some crosses and he looks as if he could do it. The other lad didn't have much to do, but he also looked fit and competent. Allez les bleus!
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raycrawfordswig added 09:38 - Jul 18 you put a left cross in o the bakayoko o the bakayoko that what it's all about.That song sorted.
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NITFC added 13:11 - Jul 18 A couple of good old French names them ... Plaisir Bahamboula and Soualio Bakayoko
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mrmorisato added 13:14 - Jul 18 Remember when a bobby petta and a mauricio tarricco joined the club, they didnt turn out too bad did they?
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Sindre94 added 15:49 - Jul 18 Do we really need a left back? Id like to see Whight as a backup for cressy...
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RossHolmes added 16:00 - Jul 18 Anyone else think the training kit is nicer than the match kit?
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MichaelRockyLavelle added 14:30 - Jul 20 Sign 'em up! they sound like a promising and dangerous left side
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