Town manager Mick McCarthy says Cameron Stewart continued to impress him during the Blues’ training camp at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare last week.

Stewart’s Town career looked to have ended before it had begun in earnest having made just two 2014/15 FA Cup sub appearances since signing for the Blues in the summer of 2014 following his release by Hull City.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers after being made available in pre-season having been left out of the Ireland training camp. In April, Manager Mick McCarthy reiterated his intention to allow the Mancunian to move on.

However, at the start of pre-season training earlier this month, McCarthy, whose squad is currently short of wingers, said Stewart could work his way back into his plans having returned to the club fitter than has been the case in previous summers.

He says the former Manchester United trainee is continuing to impress him: “He is. He’s come back fit, which, to be honest, is the first time he’s come back as fit and as lean as that.

“I’m saying nothing to you that I’ve not said to him and he knows that he wasn’t in any good shape.

“I think he knows I’d be justified in telling him to get lost, to stay away. But I’m not like that. And if he came back and he shows a willingness to work and do what I want him to do [he stood a chance of getting back in my plans].

“You can see he’s got ability, we’ve all seen that from the start, so it’s a fresh start for him.

“If it is it’ll be great, I’ll be delighted. I’d sooner have a contribution from him, I’d not want him ostracised and gone elsewhere, I don’t with any player. But in the past that’s probably what he’s deserved. It’s up to him.”

After two seasons in which Stewart’s career has drifted, McCarthy believes the penny may have dropped.

“You hope so, I think it has,” he added. “It’s a prerequisite to come back fit and as agile and as lean and ready to go, and he’s done that this year. So, if he does that I’ll give him a chance.”

Meanwhile, he says youngsters such as Shane McLoughlin, Ben Morris, Monty Patterson and James Blanchfield, all of whom were involved on Saturday, are at the same stage of their development that Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock were this time last year.

“I’m having a look and trying them out,” he said. “I thought James Blanchfield was different class when he came on, his touch and his vision. He put three lovely passes through and we were unlucky we didn’t score off them.”

Photo: Action Images

Dissboyitfc added 07:13 - Jul 11 The glass Half Full part of me says, this could be great, the Half empty part says, we sound desperate! Really struggling to be positive for this season, first time i have ever, Not looked forward to a season starting. Always Had Some form of hope!!!
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ArnieM added 07:47 - Jul 11 Stewart has now seen what life is like at other clubs - all smaller and the "penny has dropped" that he was about to shoot himself in the foot with his attitude. IF he knuckles down he could be one of the wingers MM is looking forward.......Kightly the other!
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Cloddyseedbed added 07:52 - Jul 11 I'm still not convinced he has the mental ability, but not doubting his physical ability. We will see in the next few weeks.
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essex57 added 08:15 - Jul 11 I think this attitude MM shows to his players is why we are so lucky to have him everyone knows where they stand. Really looking forward to this season especially if he gives some of the youngsters ago early on.
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prebsa added 09:11 - Jul 11 Was really excited when we first signed Stewart and obviously it didn't start well. Hoping that Mick continues to have a good attitude with him and we can see him get some games this year!
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Keaneish added 09:22 - Jul 11 I'll have a little wager now that he won't play more than 10 games for us this season and that includes coming off the bench.
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Radlett_blue added 10:07 - Jul 11 It's possible Stewart has now seen where his career has been heading - a much lower wage than his current one & playing in the 3rd tier or below. If this has motivated him to return fit & hungry, could be a win/win.
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brian_a_mul added 11:12 - Jul 11 Great to hear that Blanchfield is impressing.
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TR11BLU added 11:57 - Jul 11 @keaneish Safe bet
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jas0999 added 12:41 - Jul 11 We are making do. Simple as that. Stewart was outcast by Mick at the end of last season and now we are suggesting he is the answer. I wish him well, but I doubt he is the solution. Failed at loan clubs and isn't a Mick type player.
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muccletonjoe added 13:08 - Jul 11 Blanchfield different class. A good player and an excellent passer of the ball. Would be a wonderful option if he came through this summer.
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rinkydinkpanther added 13:13 - Jul 11 Cameron Stewart is a football f*cking mist. No substance, no weight.
-2

corfu72 added 15:15 - Jul 11 IF he gets his head together and realises this is a good club,then he could well turn out to be a bonus.It just could be that both he and MM have just been too stubborn over certain things and hence the outcome last season.Lets just give the lad a chance and see what he is made of.It could just be a win,win situation.
3

runningout added 16:37 - Jul 11 surely the coaching staff must know who's likely to do the good stuff by now
0

TimmyH added 16:44 - Jul 11 Mick will be delighted if Stewart does turn things around' - will serve to save our owner some more cash. What he does in training and what he does when the season comes about are 2 entirely different things. Just hope Mick is right and he might offer us something but I won't be holding my breath.
3

RegencyBlue added 18:30 - Jul 11 If Stewart can produce for us after all this time then great, but I for one want to see it before I believe it!
2

blueboy1981 added 18:53 - Jul 11 This lad has some talent, but possibly (like many others) do not like the MM style of play - he is not a MM type of player because he has flair about his game. Players like this are completely nullified by McCarthy and his ..... Style ..... ??
4

RRanger added 18:55 - Jul 11 Lets start the season with a clean slate in our attitude to our squad, our management team and our style of football. Cameron Stewart came to us as a player who was rated by a number of clubs and we got him. Obviously his early injury didn't help but maybe its taken him this long to realise that the grass is not always greener etc and he has grown up a bit, got himself fit and would like to be given the chance to prove his value to us. If it works , brilliant he maybe just what we need. Its up to him.

3

blueboy1981 added 19:03 - Jul 11 .......... some of you still overlook the obvious - Have we seen the best of Freddie Sears ? ...... Are we likely to see the best of Freddie Sears ? ........... DEFINITELY NOT. Why ? ......... because creative Football is being drained from him, by continuously playing him out of his best position. Stewart is no different - he won't be allowed to play his game here. FLAIR and CREATIVITY - are words that are not, and never will be, in MM's Dictionary.

3

BlueandTruesince82 added 19:10 - Jul 11 Stewart suits MM's style perfectly, as a winger he ought to see loads of the ball and be central to play. All of Micks teams have featured wingers as they are there to deliver the crosses that Murphy or Pitman should get onto all day. Kightly and Jarvis a prime example. If they are willing to do their job properly they will play and be involved as Fraser showed last season. Problem is he needs 2 ideally and they need to stay fit. Anyone know a witch doctor to lift the wingers curse? As for CS himself he has ability, does he have application?

4

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:17 - Jul 11 Blueboy - what rot you come out with sometimes. Ryan Fraser, Johnny Williams, Kevin Bru, Stewart, Bishop, all flair players brought into the side by MM. You may not like his style and I get that and on some points agree but to say he doesn't like creative players in hus side is incorrect. What he will demand, quite rightly so Is that they also work hard. If Stewart has changed his attitude then great let's see what he can do. Fair play to both him and MM and let's all hope he does turn the corner as it wouod be like a new signing.

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essex57 added 19:27 - Jul 11 Dozzels Bobblehat well stated unfortunately Blueboy1981 is to far up his .......?????....!!!!!!!!.
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blueboy1981 added 19:30 - Jul 11 Bobblehat ....... for all you say in support of your messiah - as yet no proof that MM's so called 'style' of play is going to be successful at this Club. How many seasons does he want ? How long do some of us have to wait ? ......... or do we have to be satisfied forever waiting, like some of you always and forever will be ? Is this going to be the Season that's different ? - Season Ticket Sales suggest otherwise. Let's wait and see, shall we ? Xmas / next May will tell the story.

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blueboy1981 added 19:35 - Jul 11 ....... as expected - normal drivel from essex57. Nothing changes there either - typical MM clone. What happened to you NOT reading my posts ? - do me a favour PLEASE and oblige. Many thanks. Anyway, I'd rather be up mine than MM's - unlike some of you, who daren't challenge anything he says, or does.
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blueboy1981 added 19:41 - Jul 11 ........ what's the excuse for him CONTINUOUSLY playing players out of position ? No way will that ever see the best from a player - some will say 'a good player can play anywhere' - that's true in as much as a gap will be filled - NOTHING MORE - NOTHING LESS.
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