Monty Patterson, one of Monday’s two hat-trick heroes as the U23s beat Watford 8-0 at Portman Road, is set to rejoin Vanarama National League Braintree on loan. The 20-year-old spent two months with the Iron before Christmas.

Manager Mick McCarthy says the loan deal, which is close to being completed, could run to the end of the campaign but Town will be able to recall the New Zealand international should they want to bring him into the first team later in the season.

“He’s going back [to Braintree],” he said. “I always have a recall on them, that’s to protect them, to protect me, to protect the club.

“If we’ve five games to go and nothing can happen, there’s no pressure on, then we may well bring him back and give him games.”

He added: “Bearing in mind he plays in Tom Lawrence’s position, if Tom Lawrence is fit [he’s probably not going to be involved in the Town first team] unless the season dictates that we can’t go up, can’t go down, can’t do anything with a few games to play.

“But at the moment it looks like he’ll go back to Braintree on loan because that’s what’s helped him get in the U23s and play like he did the other night because he wasn’t doing that prior to that. It’s been a real benefit to him going out and playing.”

Photo: TWTD

Burnzee1991 added 14:13 - Feb 9 Think that's a good move give him plenty of game time and us the availability to bring him in at any time :-)
9

JackSted added 14:15 - Feb 9 Scores a hat-trick against Watford u23's ............. Loans him to Braintree?!? Oh well, good luck to the lad!
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dugoutdave added 14:21 - Feb 9 JKacksted I think this may be one of those times when your dislike of MM outweighs the sense in what he's done. I am no fan either, but playing more games rather than sitting on a bench is going to increase his skills. Certainly if we not in any danger of going down then MM has said we will bring him back and give him a few run outs but meanwhile he at least get games under the belt. I have problem in faulting that train of thought

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Guthrum added 14:21 - Feb 9 He is, of course, allowed to come back and play for the U23s even while out on loan (just not the first team).
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theipswichman added 14:36 - Feb 9 Also remember that this is the highest level he can be loaned out to, hopefully get some games and then play for us next year or get a loan at a higher level.
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BillBlue added 15:31 - Feb 9 I think I read that he is 20 years old and if that is the case then he should be playing in the first team with half a dozen other products from our own Academy, it would save Mick bringing in rejects from other clubs and then you might see football being played at Portman Road again Full Stop
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BackTheBlues added 16:23 - Feb 9 Should be on the bench this weekend as a minimum
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hoppy added 17:04 - Feb 9 Makes sense to me, really. Gives him a decent bit of competitive action, and not too far away so can keep a good eye on how he's progressing too.
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