Town boss Mick McCarthy has reiterated that young strikers Ben Morris and Aaron Drinan could be involved in the first team during the latter stages of the season.

Morris, 18, came through the academy and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup match at Crystal Palace in August, while 19-year-old Drinan officially joined the Blues from Waterford in January having been training with the club since October.

“They’re doing all right,” McCarthy said. “There’s an U23s game [at Cardiff] on Thursday and they’ll probably both be involved in that, but as we get towards the back end of the season, and we’re getting there I know, then I’d like to be giving them a game and I hope that’s the case.

“Actually, I tell you what, I hope it isn’t the case, I’d hope we’re one point behind the play-offs with about five games to play, that would be nice, and we’d be playing the team that’s Joe, Waggy, Santie, Muzzy and all those boys. But if not then I hope to give them a game.”

He says Drinan, who made four senior starts and one sub appearance for Waterford, scoring once, as they won the League of Ireland First Division prior to his move to Portman Road, is perhaps a little ahead of Morris as things stand.

“Possibly, he impressed everybody since he’s come in,” he added. “It’s like anything, you come in and you’re training full-time and then suddenly it’s tough for them.

“Ben looked really sharp and then he took a dip. He’s come back looking really sharp, just these last couple of months, two or three months. They’re both doing all right.”

Drinan and Morris were both on target in last Monday’s 3-2 U23s victory over West Brom in the Premier League Cup, a performance which impressed the Blues boss: “I thought we played well in that.”

The afternoon didn’t go so well for two of McCarthy’s other January signings, Barry Cotter and Chris Goteni, who were the centre-halves against the Baggies.

“Barry did his hamstring, so he’s not going anywhere soon,” the Town boss added. “Chris Goteni got sent off, so they were great the pair of them, they did really well!”

Also involved in that match were trialists Ben Stephens, a 20-year-old striker with Stratford Town, and Mohammed Sagaf, also 20, an attacking midfielder who has been given an extended spell to impress the Blues management having caught the eye while playing for Walsham Forest.

McCarthy says he is continuing to monitor their progress: “Just keeping an eye on them. There’s no decision made on them. They did OK.”

Photos: TWTD

BobbyBell added 16:04 - Mar 5 Good. At last. Do I need to list out the strikers that never had a chance here and went on to bang goals in elsewhere?
4

Seasider added 17:35 - Mar 5 I recall Mick saying this for about the last three seasons;but it has yet to be realised in a regular basis. I know that there have been injuries to some like Bishop and Dozell;but I think it speaks volumes that there are currently no home grown players anywhere near the first team. Some have had a few games at various times, but in the five years plus that McCarthy has been here he has not established a single home grown player in the first team. Shows how much he is concerned with Mr Evans five point plan ! It would be nice if occasionally one was on the bench,and made a cameo appearance;but Mick knows best,as he often tells us.

5

delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:12 - Mar 5 I wouldn't want to hold my breath waiting for them to play, that's for sure!
1

jas0999 added 18:23 - Mar 5 Season as good as over. Stop playing loanees that won't be here next season or those whose contracts won't be renewed. Play fearless youngsters and attack teams.
2

rfretwell added 19:46 - Mar 5 Seasider you need to have a rethink. Nydams in the first team squad, Bishop wild be in the team If fit, Dozzell would surely have got a decent look in if he wasn't our all season, Kenlocks played a good number of game and Downes and Emmanuel are squad members tho are on loan currently and doing well at their loan clubs. Lets have it right!
5

wayway added 20:34 - Mar 5 They might get a chance when you have gone
-1

cat added 21:31 - Mar 5 rfretwell - McCarthy ‘til' you die!!! (Lol) wake up you very blinkered ‘person', the only reason the youths have had a sniff is cause them injuries. McCarthy's to ‘safe' to experiment, as he often says win at all costs, whatever the price, which brings me on nicely to this:- Loved Redknapps comments about Conte's stiffling tactics yesterday “crime against football” and “anti football” were two of the comments which stuck, kinda reminded me of our ‘diplodocus' Mick.

3

bobble added 21:38 - Mar 5 folami as well please..
1

madmouse1959 added 22:44 - Mar 5 Let us finally say goodbye to the players who have failed miserably and consistently. Let us rejoice in the departure of McCarthy who has picked these players despite their failure. The supporters would relish young players given a chance now as there is absolutely nothing to play for. We need young players who can keep up with forward play. Young players who have the legs and willing to surge forward with the ball. Too little too late though.

1

Theipswich added 23:47 - Mar 5 Oh please...don't hold your breath. The old saying of if they're good enough, they're old enough doesn't hold water under McCarthy. Bobby robson and George Burley never hesitated to put them in if they had talent but under our present incumbent, he deems it better to play over-aged loanees and favourites. Youngsters have no chanc eunder him as these 5 years or so have proved. His policy of promoting youngsters is on a par with his cup record...crap in other words.

1

shakytown added 08:04 - Mar 6 No chance at all and if Mick is here next season they will be gone or on loan.
1

SheptonMalletBlue added 16:22 - Mar 6 McCarthy will play the youngsters, bring them on in the 91st min, he's full of sh!te as usual!!!
2

fransthyssen added 18:43 - Mar 6 Give them a chance Now! They'll be hungry to impress giving us a big plus for the run in,we need to roll up our sleeves and go for it from tonight.
1

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls