Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that midfielder Byron Lawrence can leave the Blues on a permanent basis. The 18-year-old joined League One Colchester United on trial last week.

Lawrence, who joined the academy from Histon as a schoolboy, broke through into the Town first-team squad as a 15-year-old when he was an unused sub in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Northampton in August 2011.

He became the club’s second-youngest first-team player behind Connor Wickham when he came on as a sub aged 16 years and 47 days on the final day of the 2011/12 season in the 3-2 victory at Doncaster, but has not added to that appearance.

“It’s with a view to a permanent move,” McCarthy confirmed. “If he can get a move Byron is available.

“He hasn’t progressed enough to get in the first team. He’s now at that age where if he’s not going to progress into the first team he’s got to go and get something else.”

Lawrence, who is contracted to Town until next June, is set to play for Colchester’s U21s away against Crystal Palace at Tooting and Mitcham today, having impressed U’s academy manager Tony Humes - who occupied a similar role with Town between 2006 and 2009 - during last week’s 0-0 draw at Sheffield United.

"Byron Lawrence played the whole match in our midfield three and was good on the ball,” said the former Blues centre-half.

“He also showed a very good awareness of how we want to play the game here at Colchester United and settled into it extremely quickly.”

Photo: Action Images

blue_moon09 added 10:00 - Aug 27 So how many idiots on here have actually seen Byron Lawrence play? you can't have all left your bedsits to see him come off the bench debut at Doncaster. His a small tricky player that might develop into a league 2 player, his no Messi so calm down and support the club rather than MOAN its boring
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JWM added 13:12 - Aug 27 karls dad - Sorry to say it mate but where have you been for the last 10 years? We have been the laughing stock of this Division ever since Joe Royle left!
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karls_dad added 13:57 - Aug 27 Wherever i have been on my travels i have worn the colours with pride, i met one day which i still cannot believe 4 towns supportes wearing the shirts in Gibralter...4! for christ sake it ain,t much bigger than Kesgrave! My point being is that all these people are proud to show where they are from and the once proud ITFC, MM and Evans are both tearing the soul out of our club, the lack of spending, the lack of vision, its the same old tactics every game, the opposition know exactly how we are going to line up, and set about their business top suit! I have had enough of of Evans, yes he may have saved us at one point, and way enough of MM now, hi is a dino on on the football stage now, we need new blood new thinking at every level, this season will be mid table if we are lucky! Its about time that Evans and MM starting reading what the fans think on TWTD and the like! we are all peeded off with it all!

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