Midfielder Flynn Downes has signed a new contract with the Blues which runs to the summer of 2020.

The 18-year-old only put pen to paper on his first pro deal with the club at the end of last month - a one-year contract with an option for a further season - but has greatly impressed manager Mick McCarthy in pre-season.

The Brentwood-born academy product began to break into the first-team squad at the end of last season and he was included as a sub for the final game at Nottingham Forest, although without making it on to the field.

“All-round, technically he’s a really good footballer, he’s athletic, he puts his foot in, he’ll compete, he’s a real competitor and he’s a winner on the pitch," McCarthy said after the Forest match.

“He comes over and he shows no respect for the first team, he comes and dumps them on their backsides if they need dumping on their backsides. I love that about him."

Speaking after the 5-0 friendly win at Drogheda recently, he added: "I really do like Flynn Downes, I think he’ll contribute this season."

Last night the Town boss described Downes's performance at Peterborough as "excellent".

The player himself is targeting involvement in the first team once the season proper gets under way.

"I'm really delighted to sign; I've put in a lot of hard work and I feel like it's been rewarded," he told iFollow Ipswich.

"It's been a really hard pre-season so far, mentally and physically, but I'm feeling good.

"The more senior members of the squad, like Chambo [Luke Chambers] help a lot. They give you a lot of advice but first-team football is a lot quicker.

"It's encouraging to see others come through and play for the first-team so it has pushed me on even more because I want to get to that level."

Former Blues midfielder Kieron Dyer, recently appointed the club's assistant U16s coach, worked with Downes during his previous stint coaching in the academy and is a big fan.

“Flynn, two years ago he was in my U16s, again he had great potential but was a bit behind Andre [Dozzell] and Tristan [Nydam] at the time," he told TWTD at the weekend.

“But he’s come on leaps and bounds. In pre-season I hear he’s been absolutely flying, winning all the long distance races, he was ahead on all the running stats and in training in Ireland I heard he was outstanding, which is good for him and he’s another one to look out for."

📽️ | Talented #itfc midfielder, Flynn Downes, has spoken of his delight at penning a three-year contract at Portman Road... pic.twitter.com/JM6DzU3D6P– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) July 19, 2017

Photos: Larry McQuillan/Drogheda United/ITFC

ShropshireBluenago09 added 09:48 - Jul 20 Good, we should be giving youth a chance. The fact that MM has given him another contract speaks volumes.
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bbg added 09:58 - Jul 20 Great to see another academy graduate in the frame for the first team. That doesnt mean, as some suggest above, we do not need more loan or permanent signings. The reality for every club, including those spending multi millions on academies, like man city or chelsea, is that it's not easy bring through players good enough to get into your first team, though many will make it at a lower level. I dont want academy players in the first team if the price is relegation. The truth of Emmanuel last season is that although he did some good work, he was not in the same class as Spence defensively or offensively. He would not have got into any of the other surviving championship teams but will have a football career at some level. Club coaches have to make these judgements every year, and I dont see ours being proved wrong on many occasions. BTW Benyu was offered a contract extension here.

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OldClactonBlue added 09:59 - Jul 20 Hopefully Mark he could be a short term replacement for Skuse
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midastouch added 10:16 - Jul 20 @ OldClactonBlue I'm praying he will be a long-term permanent replacement for Skuse lol! ;-) Surely this has to be Skuse's last chance this season, no more ExSkuses! But that said, as ever all the players start with a clean slate for a new season and I'm happy to be won over by him and judge him on what he brings to the table in terms of performances this season. But for him to do that he's going to have show a lot more than he's offered in previous seasons. I have to say he actually looked really good in the last game of the season for the first 20 minutes, but then he just totally vanished. If he could play more often like he did in the first 20 minutes I'd be converted! But if he plays like he did in the next 70 minutes I think it's time to ship him out to somewhere like Wigan. Maybe he could hook up with Giles Coke and they can do some neat "side-to-side" half-way line dancing, I mean passing!

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Lightningboy added 10:23 - Jul 20 Great prospect by the sounds of it - hope McCarthy has the guts/vision to put him in if he's good enough (let's face it he can't be any worse or less productive than Skuse). Change is needed - let's hope some of these kids can provide it.
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vanmunt added 12:50 - Jul 20 Not good enough to give a run out by Mick, I quote from Celtics Champions League game "Kundai Benyu came into the game and both were dangerous. Hayes went close to scoring and Benyu's grace on the ball posed the visitors more problems. He was involved in the build-up to the final goal, smashed home by another substitute, Armstrong" At least we had different class Dougie on the pitch last year, I thought teams would be clambering for his signature, yet I see he hasn't found a club. MM is ruining the club from the bottom up.

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bbg added 14:20 - Jul 20 Vanmunt: MM put MIngs & Bishop in the team at a similar age & no one can argue Benyu didnt benefit from his loan spell, probably a lot more than a bit part in a championship relegation dogfight.At least with MM, Chambers, Skuse, Dougie, et al we are still in the Division and i think we should all allow ourselves the luxury of a little pre-season optimism, which I am sure Flynn now feels.

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warktheline added 19:37 - Jul 20 I'm definitely all for the promotion of youth, I'd go as far to say it's the only way forward for our club. My issue is with all the talk and no action from McCarthy! His track record with youth is ruddy disgraceful!!! And God help the lad that does get given a glimmer of first team action...one 'mistake' and in come the 'proper blokes'! I'm extremely fearful in regards to this coming season! @Cat, keep your truthful posts coming pal, always good to read balanced arguments...never settle for the rubbish currently served up at Portman rd these dark days!

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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:56 - Jul 20 www.eadt.co.uk/sport/the-statistics-which-show-ipswich-town-trusted-youth-more-than-most-in-the-championship-1 For those who are indeed interested about the facts.
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warktheline added 21:39 - Jul 20 Those stats may well be true, my issue is with the outcomes of playing youth, how many have broken into the first 11 on a consistent bases? McCarthy has continually fallen back upon his gang of 'proper blokes'.
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coolcat added 21:51 - Jul 20 Well done Flynn Downes! Has been impressive so far this pre-season. Seen him play in academy games as well. Great player. :)
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vanmunt added 08:55 - Jul 21 eadt statistics "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:43 - Jul 21 That only applies to broad stats where it's a sample so that doesn't hold water. How many of the youngsters that we let go have ripped it up elsewhere, esp in Micks time. Marriot scored lots of goals in lge 2 that's the only example I can think of..... the fact is youth teams are a funnel system. Many go in at the top but v few come out the other end. Bishop would have played more were it not for injury, Jyam certainly would have. As above we can see Mick is far more inclined to give youngsters a chance than most Champ managers. Myth busted. Look how Marriot has come on playing week in week out at a lower level, why should Emamuelle not do the same?

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warktheline added 11:03 - Jul 21 @blueand true, there are more dimensions to stats! I would suggest these youngsters are taught to play football throughout our system and unfortunately are then thrown into 'kick and rush' football when they encounter McCarthy! If, as you suggest, very few of these lads make the grade, then our youth system is therefore failing, and if this be the case, the club's future looks bleak !!!

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shakytown added 11:51 - Jul 21 Typical comment from Muck. Puts a foot in and dumps people on their backside I like that in a player. What about skill and flair????? these attributes will win more games than being a thug for Muck.
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SouthBucksBlue added 13:01 - Jul 21 How many new deals has he signed? Why does he need more than one?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:05 - Jul 21 I disagree walk the line, it's the same across the pyramid. How many youth players at utd, city or arsenal make? I dare say slightly more as more money equals access to better plays but not that many more especially given the gulf in resource. It's a pipeline the more that goes in at the top the more will come out the bottom. The argument is Mick won't give youth a chance, the stats prove otherwise. Simple. Now I agree one reason many don't make it is they simply are not good enough but is that's Micks fault? He's not in charge of the youth team. Let's say your right and it is Micks fault then surely the league would be awash with former town players ripping it up as "good" managers have an impact on them? Is it? I'd love names, Marriot? other than that who is out there that has been key go by Mick that you wish was still here? Dozzell, Bishop, Emanuelle, Kenlock all given debut by Mick. Hyam plays when fit. I'm not defending Mick or tje tactics but you can't lay the blame for everything at his door, the way some bang on its like he's Josef Fritzel, balance and objective thinking is often lacking. I suppose it's his fault we don't like the new away strip? His fault the turnstiles need painting again? His fault Ipswich is in general a bit s###? If only he wasn't manger then.the traffic wouldn't be so bad! At the end of the day it's there in black and white, some are just to blinkered to believe what's in front of them. Fair enough. Perhaps you can offer some evidence to the contrary?Tpeople wanted evidence that Mick gives youth a chance, that's what has been given. Nothing but opinion offered in the other direction. Some people still think the world is flat... that's up to them

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warktheline added 13:33 - Jul 21 @blueandtrue, that wasn't my argument ' not giving youth a chance', please re-read my original post! My argument is with lack of end product. An example being young Dozzell, McCarthy plays him, goals are scored, then bang! One slight 'wrongdoing' and the boy is hooked, and the manager reverts back to type....his tried and tested system of failure! Are you of the opinion that Dozzell wasn't up for the job, especially when you consider the alternatives? Valuable game time was lost on that lad because of Mccarthy's liken to play a particular style of play! I certainly haven't been one to blame the boss for everything , in fact, I totally backed him for 2 or more years, as many could confirm!

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vanmunt added 14:05 - Jul 21 If the world was flat then a cat would have pushed everything over the side.. Mr Magoo thought Different Class Douglas and Skuse was a good pairing and belittled anyone that thought different. The man has no humility and is a boorish big headed arrogant potty mouthed know it all. He is a clueless dinosaur in regards to the modern game and how to treat youngsters that are from a completely different generation to the one he knew when he was a 'proper' lad. The day he is gone cannot come soon enough.

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warktheline added 14:12 - Jul 21 @skakytown, unfortunately it does appear to be a reoccurring trait of McCarthy's, something I totally understood in his first couple of years in charge, but not now!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:35 - Jul 21 And my point walk the line is that's not the argument being had here. Dozzell will play again and the fact is he wi have more chance of getting game time at Town than at almost any other club at this level.
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warktheline added 14:51 - Jul 21 That's rubbish blue and true! If McCarthy continues with this style of play there won't be many chances for Dozzell to shine! He stunts flair and talent. Considering you appear to enjoy your stats can you look at the one where Douglas and Skuse are paired together , our win percentage is the one I'd like your feed back on!
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warktheline added 15:01 - Jul 21 I'd also add on many occasions McCarthy was forced to play his 'fringe youth' for varying negative reasons, such as continued bad form! His hand was therefore forced! Sadly blue and true, you sound like an out of date politician, blinkered and oblivious to hard facts, instead using manipulative stats!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:22 - Jul 21 What is manipulative about the stats? No one forced Mick to play anyone, we all know he does what be wants. No one forced him to give the any of the. Mentioned players their debut and no one forced him to talk Dozell up at every opportunity. My argument is based on evidence... where is yours? Oh right you don't have any. Never mind.
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warktheline added 19:48 - Jul 21 Oh dear Blue and true, for a short period there I thought we were having a healthy debate...sadly not, another swn on the forum! Unable to digest information and evidence contrary to your own viewpoint !!
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