Blues defender Luke Woolfenden is delighted to have been given the opportunity to play regularly in the first team during pre-season with Town currently short of centre-halves.

The 19-year-old has been skipper Luke Chambers’s partner in the starting line-up in the last three friendlies with Adam Webster having moved to Bristol City earlier in the summer and loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers having returned to his parent club Spurs at the end of last season. Fellow youngster Chris Smith joined Aldershot on loan yesterday after recovering from the back injury he suffered at the end of last season.

“I’m really enjoying it, to be fair,” academy product Woolfenden said. “I’ve got lots of minutes on the pitch and training every day with the first team is helping me as a player.”

He says he’s relishing partnering Chambers: “He’s great to play alongside, easy to play alongside. There are no nerves when you’re alongside him, you just look across and hear him talking you through the game really, step by step.”

Ipswich-born Woolfenden says he hadn’t anticipated taking such a prominent role in pre-season but is happy that circumstances have handed him the opportunity.

“I was hoping, I don’t know if I was really expecting it, but I was hoping to be in there,” he continued.

“I came back fit, so I didn’t see a reason why I couldn’t be in the first team and obviously there aren’t many centre-backs with Webby leaving. I saw that as a chance to hopefully cement a place in the first team.

“That’s aim really, just to cement a starting XI place or even just a place in the first team squad and around it every day.”

Woolfenden spent much of last season on loan at Vanarama National League Bromley, where he made 17 starts and three sub appearances at right-back, before returning to Portman Road and making his Championship debut under caretaker-manager Bryan Klug - having featured twice in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season - as the Blues won 4-0 at Reading. He made a further appearance from the bench against Middlesbrough on the final day.

“It was a bit all over the place but I enjoyed last season a lot down at Bromley, they helped me out massively as a person as a football player, so I can’t complain,” he said.

“And obviously coming back towards the end of the season and making my debut, my full debut in the Championship in the Reading game was just an added bonus really.

“It was a great game to play in because there was no pressure on us. I know that it’s not going to be like that every week, but it was an easy-ish game if you can say that, to make my debut in. And 4-0, you can’t complain about that really.”

He says he’s enjoyed working with new manager Paul Hurst with his assistant Chris Doig, a centre-half during his playing days, having given him plenty of advice already.

“There’s a fair chance for everyone, you’ve just got to take your chance and impress him,” Woolfenden added regarding Hurst.

“He’s always watching, always helping me, telling me things I can improve on, him and Doigy.

“Doigy’s always on at me about being on my toes, so they’re always around, always helping.”

Photo: TWTD

flimflam added 08:29 - Jul 27 He's a talent thats for sure and could be a massive player for us if not this season then next.
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flimflam added 08:29 - Jul 27 He's a talent thats for sure and could be a massive player for us if not this season then next.
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christiand added 08:39 - Jul 27 Woolfenden has been very impressive since his introduction to the first team last season, the Championship is a long and tough campaign and I don't envisage him being a regular yet, but this youngster has made the step up to the first team and made it look easy. I still think we need another CB before the transfer window closes, but I honestly believe that he can cope both mentality and physically. However, to expect him to play 46 games is a tough ask for a young centre half making his way in the game. Equally, you have to start somewhere and sometime!!

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Nottingblue added 08:53 - Jul 27 Maybe he needs a loan spell in league two as his next development step, that is of course if we get some cover ourselves. Would be nice to see him given his chance here when required though.
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1RWR added 08:58 - Jul 27 Can't wait for SBR end to shout "Woooooooolf!" Love it!
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muccletonjoe added 08:59 - Jul 27 This lad has looked a player to me since his youth team days. Needs the games and the experience and could well get them this season. I don't envisage Evans spending anymore money this summer.
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shefkuqi32 added 09:20 - Jul 27 Couldn't be more impressed when I saw him for the first time at MK Dons. As I said to Blue Monday Podcast guys, looked totally in his depth and a ready for first team football. He was big, strong and composed, great prospect.
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Pilgrimblue added 09:22 - Jul 27 I think he's got a great future and a great name.
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Ipswichbusiness added 09:41 - Jul 27 I haven't seen him play, but he sounds like a level-headed lad, keen to do the right things. I wish him luck!
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Radlett_blue added 09:52 - Jul 27 Doigy? Deputy, please!
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tractorboybig added 09:54 - Jul 27 his type were once the bed rock of this club
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BobbyBell added 10:05 - Jul 27 All the centre back issues we had last year and MM just ignore him even though he impressed in the cup game at Palace. I'm still puzzled as to why MM wouldn't use him more. Now maybe we will see what he has to offer.
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MrTown added 10:09 - Jul 27 Incredibly impressed with him at MK Dons, he looked so comfortable in the first team scene, looked as though he ad played for years. He looked comfy, relaxed, on the ball, read the game impeccably well and back pocketed a decent player Kieran Agard throughout. Without doubt should be considered for first team selection week in week out from now on.
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mojo added 10:59 - Jul 27 1RWR - That sound would go well with the Icelandic thunder clap.
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Suffolkboy added 11:09 - Jul 27 We should recognise that " youngsters " need experience and room to grow & develop their physique -- so the loan spell quite obviously did him good ( note his comments ) . MM and BK are very good coaches and excellent mam managers , and over the last few years we HAVE successfully brought on a good number .So let's give this young man room and space to continue this upward progress , and always provide the right support and encouragement from the sidelines ; let's help him and PH to develop and look forward to the rewards ! Most encouraging are LC's observations ,and views on what he's seen close to !

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