Manager Mick McCarthy says returning winger Cameron Stewart faces stiff competition for a place in his side. The summer signing is yet to make his Blues debut having suffered a broken jaw in pre-season and then a minor knee injury when making his comeback in the U21s a fortnight ago.

The 23-year-old, signed on a free transfer following his release by Hull and the collapse of a move to Leeds, was back in action again for the U21s in the 2-2 draw at Crewe on Wednesday and is expected to be in Mark Kennedy’s side when they take on Swansea in Town’s first ever U21 Premier League Cup game at Portman Road on Monday (KO 7pm).

“I was at the game the other night and he did OK in it, he got better,” McCarthy said. “It got to about 75 minutes and he started running out of gas, which tells me he needs games.

“He’s not had a lot of football. We’ve another game on Monday and if he’s involved on Sunday then he’ll play in that.”

He added: “There is good competition for his place, so whoever gets in needs to play well. It’s lovely.

“It’s not about keeping them happy because I don’t think they’re ever happy when they’re out, it’s about staying part of the team, knowing that if somebody gets injured or suspended that they’re going to get their chance, they have to play well and be self-motivated, be ready to go.

“We treat them well here, I think they enjoy coming in to training, but they’re not happy if they’re not playing. It’s what level that gets to, whether they can tolerate being out of the team.

“If we’re winning, there’s little anybody can do really, [they can’t come] knocking at my door when we’re getting good results.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says he opted to play the Nottingham Forest game on Sunday having also been given the option of it taking place on the Friday night, the match having switched away from Saturday as Notts County were also scheduled to play at home this weekend.

“I was asked if we could play it Friday or Sunday,” he said. “One, I didn’t want to play Sheffield Wednesday away on the Tuesday and then come back and go straight back up there when we haven’t got a game for two weeks.

“And two, I didn’t want to play under the lights at Forest on a Friday night because the atmosphere’s better. And three, we’ve got a bit of time in between the games and the travelling because we’ve got to travel again and then we haven’t got a game for two weeks.”

Photo: Action Images

ITFCRealist added 21:43 - Oct 3 Well done Mick, You sign a talented young winger and then play Tabb. Idiot
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Fatboy added 21:50 - Oct 3 Interesting that Notts County don't have to move their match, being the smaller club. Do they take it in turns when there's a clash? PS Presumably Stewart will play on Monday if he's NOT involved on Sunday?
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Stourbridgeblue added 21:53 - Oct 3 Hope this doesn't turn into another Taylor type situation. But it's nice to be able to leave good players out of the team for a change.
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jabberjackson added 22:30 - Oct 3 For goodness sake He hasn't played because he has been injured... Plain and simple We are far better off without Taylor wrecking the dressing room as well
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jabberjackson added 22:31 - Oct 3 Also mm signed Stewart He didn't sign Taylor
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:41 - Oct 3 ITFCRealist-that just about shows your level. The blokes been injured! Or should MM have played him with a broken jaw? Muppet.
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GiveusaWave added 23:20 - Oct 3 Tabb has been given the "MM seal of approval" (Nouble was also a former member of this illustrious group） which means that however bad he plays he always has a place in the team. Well said ITFC Realist； keeping it real.
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muccletonjoe added 23:23 - Oct 3 Be interesting to see if this guy does make it to the first team on a regular basis. I have my doubts but of course, I could be wrong.
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Millsey added 08:26 - Oct 4 There are really some retards on this site! INJURED, NOT PLAYED MUCH THIS SEASON and you want him straight in a winning team. Realist Guenther = Muppets
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thebeat added 13:01 - Oct 4 Tabbs not played for how many games. Stewarts been injured and isnt match fit yet. Honestly some people...
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oddball added 16:23 - Oct 4 Ignore the silly comments, a reaction is what they want, minus it, ignore it :-).
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