Town boss Mick McCarthy says winger Cameron Stewart remains firmly in his plans as the Blues prepare for their final pre-season friendly against Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Portman Road on Saturday (KO 3pm).

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, McCarthy, whose squad is currently short of wingers, said Stewart could work his way back into his thoughts having returned to the club fitter than has been the case in previous summers.

And, with pre-season almost over, McCarthy confirmed that Stewart, who has a year remaining on his contract, is very much in his plans for the campaign proper.

“Yeah, he is this year, because he’s come back slim and fit and wanting to do it,” the Blues manager said after Tuesday’s friendly at Charlton. “I wouldn’t tolerate what he came back like last year. He knows that.

“He went out [on loan] and was never anywhere near my team. I’m not telling you now that I haven’t told you before.

“He’s come back in good shape and put two very good crosses in tonight. He is part of the squad and will be part of the team photograph on Thursday and it’s very much up to him to keep progressing and proving he should be around it.

“He’s got that bit of magic dust at times, that bit of wow factor. I’m not convinced it’s there all the time over 90 minutes, it’s hard to do it over 90 minutes, but in periods of games he does produce crosses.

“I think, like anybody, he likes to have an arm around him and a bit of confidence given to him. He’s had that this pre-season because he’s come back and shown me he wants to do it.”

McCarthy, Stewart and the rest of the staff and squad will be at the annual open day which takes place at Portman Road from 10am this morning (gates open 9.30am). Full details here.

Photo: Action Images

MicksZzzTactics added 11:38 - Jul 28 @Cat_Whiskers: Best & accurate post by far! of the early part of this lovely day I've personally read! LOL On a more serious note, I too is pleased to hear Cameron is now in much better shape and overall showing much more commitment to his Boss ... as well as to his team mates too really! We are in dire need of wingers & creative passers as we all know, so let' all hope the now 25 year old Mr. Stewart -- who actually have about 90 games incl. a handful of goals previously at this particular tough level -- will indeed be used in some form and furthermore that he is i more than up to the task when he sanguinely soon is given his somewhat "due" Championship debut in an Ipswich shirt.

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jas0999 added 12:03 - Jul 28 Good, I hope Caneron can make an impression and wish him well. However, like others, this seems to be a shift away from Micks damning comments at the end of last season, which considering our complete lack of transfer activity, begs the question: is it because we literally have no other wingers? Seems are are simply making do.
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Woodbridgian added 12:17 - Jul 28 Always thought he had potential and lets face it you don't get into Man U academy unless you've got some talent. Clearly his problem has been attitude but lets hope he's released he needs to change and apply himself.
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Mr_Evans added 12:21 - Jul 28 I think Stewart will need to come out and do his best to impress the supporters. If the supporters get behind him it then forces MM to let him play. MM wouldn't then an able to hide behind the "he's not pulling his weight blah blah". I feel it's a little pretentious for us to be saying we should be fighting for top 6 - we're simply not good enough yet with this young squad. I'd like to see this squad develop over the next season or two - some of these younguns could form something pretty special.

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bohslegend added 16:16 - Jul 28 If the supporters get behind him it then forces MM to let him play. MM wouldn't then an able to hide behind the "he's not pulling his weight blah blah". I think that's unfair. It's MM who IS giving him another chance. When you think of previous layabouts at ITFC such as Taylor and JET, the manager has a right to expect players to want to work hard and prove their worth. If they don't pull their weight they are a drag on squad morale and the manager would be right to remove them. On the other hand, seems like young Stewart has been given some good advice by someone and decided to come back to pre-season in good shape and with the right attitude this season. Looks like the manager is prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and for me that's good man-management.

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Seasider added 17:29 - Jul 28 Am pleased for Cameron.Remember seeing him playing for the u21's during his exile from the first team and he looked very unhappy;but then I expect Skuse Chambers and Douglas wouldn't have been too happy in that position either! Don't think Piotr Malarcyk has been given a fair crack at the first team either;although not much said about him.Notice he has been on the bench for most of friendlies but not sure if he has even got on the pitch.How must he feel with all the youngsters getiing on in front of him.

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brendanh added 17:37 - Jul 28 No excuse for living like a slob when you're a well-paid professional sportsman. Most people would sacrifice everything to be in his position. Let's hope Stewart's head is back on now. COYB!
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timkatieadamitfc added 20:38 - Jul 28 Sorry but this just smacks of desperation,now using someone who has been with us a few years who he has tried to get rid of and had no intention of using in the past at any cost.If his attitude was that bad he could have got rid of him one way or another.Just because we will not spend any money or can attract anyone decent he's all of a sudden back in favour.Bo**ocks,I fear for this season and it hasn't even started.HOPE TO GOD IM PROVED WRONG!COYB.

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Warkys_Tash added 23:06 - Jul 28 What a F*kin joke. I would have killed to have been a pro footballer, let alone play for Town & this waste of space needs an arm round him after earning at least £10k a week for two years whilst not being professional - Not Turing up fit & not being interested. Smells like desperation. Evans should be giving McCarthy the money go get Ryan Fraser, a proper hard working pro with bags of talent, whilst driving this clown back to Manchester. FFS.

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Pedro added 23:32 - Jul 28 We should have scored from his two crosses at Charlton
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