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

essex57 added 19:51 - Jul 11 I only posted a thought that you were so far up your own full stops,exclamation marks and question marks that's all don't be so sensitive blueboy the season has not yet started.
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Monkey_Blue added 21:27 - Jul 11 Some of the comments are absolute utter nonsense. People suggesting MM doesn't like talented players and they can't perform in his teams.... How much did we miss MCG, Bishop and Fraser last season... Do we think that even if they were fit they would have been anonymous? I'm not claiming any superior knowledge but have played at a level to have been offered trials and played county level etc and am a qualified coach..... Some people make two posts in the same thread and don't realise they contradict themselves.... "All we've got is kids as back up".... "Why don't we give the kids a go" "McCarthy doesn't play talented players" and then "we need Fraser back" Sorry, bit intelligence and rational thought seem to be like garlic to vampires with half you lot

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blueboy1981 added 21:43 - Jul 11 Monkey Blue ........ seems you should know ... !! .... ??
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Garv added 23:14 - Jul 11 Play him, on the wing, by the touchline. Not 'wide midfield, tucking in'.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 09:25 - Jul 12 Blueboy I think it's you not reading posts. I snd many others aren't totally convinced by MM but also realise that our club is in a better position than ir was when he arrived. I just get tired of people making incorrect statements. Fine, you don't like MM and you may be right but some of the statements you make are just plain wrong.
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blueboy1981 added 18:53 - Jul 12 Bobblehat ......... in your opinion - and, and of course, the normal ITFC minus crew. I'm not disputing 'the Club is in a better position than it was when he arrived ' - it certainly NEEDS to be. But why rest on those 'laurels' (if that is what you see them as) forever and a day ? - which is what some of you make it plainly obvious that you are prepared to do. Not all of us see it that way. It not that I don't like MM - I do not like his tactics, style of play - or indeed his attitude towards supporters. Our Club, a once proud and successful Club, for all the right reasons - not just in the UK either - DESERVES BETTER.

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blueboy1981 added 19:00 - Jul 12 .......... just carry on condoning the demise - and all you, accept all and everything people, will see where we will eventually end up. Signs are already there with reduced Season Ticket Sales - many of whom have held such for many, many years - myself included.
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wilnisfan added 03:39 - Jul 13 When you believe your ability is about how much you earn then your football suffers. With his court case with his previous club really putting into perspective how much he earns, he naturally switched off, as a young player. He is fortunate to have Mick as a manager and probably has experienced different managers who don't care about how much he earns, since he is on loan. Good management by Mick.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 04:20 - Jul 13 Blueboy - where exactly was I condoning anything? My post was about factually incorrect postings, and nothing to do directly with MM or his tactics.
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blueboy1981 added 20:12 - Jul 13 Bobblehat ........ you - obviously put yourself in that bracket. I wonder why ? Einstein not required for an answer.
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