Blues boss Paul Lambert says striker Aaron Drinan has given him food for thought with his performances in pre-season.

The 22-year-old Irish U21 international joined the Blues from Waterford in January 2018 but is still to make a competitive first team appearance, having spent much of his time as a Town player on loan back at Waterford, in the National League with Sutton United, in Sweden with GAIS and in Scotland with Ayr United.

However, he was one of only two fringe youngsters to start pre-season training with the first team along with midfielder Brett McGavin.

He started the first friendly against Colchester on Tuesday and scored twice as the Blues won 4-0, then played the opening 45 minutes against Spurs on Saturday as Town were defeated 3-0 by the Premier League side.

“He scored two against Colchester the other night, he’s only a young kid as well, I’m really happy with him,” Lambert said.

“He’s definitely given me food for thought, that’s for sure, the way he’s stepped in with his workrate, his desire, everything that’s there. I’m happy with how he’s performed.”

Has the Corkman a chance of being involved in the first team once the season proper is up and running? “Absolutely, because he’s doing really well, as all the guys are. I think he’s playing the way we want him to play.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Mullet added 12:14 - Aug 23 Good to know our scouting can still pay off
2

Linkboy13 added 12:14 - Aug 23 Will be very surprised if he's anywhere near the first team when the competitive games start. Hope im wrong though and he goes on to score 20 goals.
5

ShropshireBluenago09 added 12:59 - Aug 23 Was poor yesterday but given the opportunity in a more competitive game he's might be an option. If Norwood goes then top 2 should be Hawkins and Jackson
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Steve_D added 13:18 - Aug 23 In other words Norwood is going if not gone and we are not getting a replacement , so I will spin it to look like we have good cover , Crap owner , Bad manager , poor players
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BlueSwede added 13:25 - Aug 23 A little surprised to hear after having seen him here in Sweden, but pleased if he has stepped up and is a contender for a place in the squad.
1

ChrisFelix added 14:08 - Aug 23 Going back to the early 70s often a new youngster would appear at the beginning of the season. Beattie Burley were 2. Wouldnt it be nice if the 2 Irish lads made the grade this season.
8

ronnyd added 16:51 - Aug 23 Lambert describes him as "a young kid". He's 22 for goodness sake.
2

brittaniaman added 17:53 - Aug 23 Norwoood rumours keep popping up,, Swindon now ?? so come on Lambert what is the problem ??? We have nursed him through these injuries, although after 5 months off football he should be cured of this so called Groin problem ?? if not why not ???
1

Cloddyseedbed added 19:27 - Aug 23 Food for thought for god sake he's 22. If he was good enough he'd have made it by now. Same as Dozzell, he's no longer a kid. Younger players playing every week in Premier league.
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Cloddyseedbed added 19:28 - Aug 23 brittaniaman........exactly.
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ArnieM added 21:01 - Aug 23 Yes PL, it's amazing what potentially can happen if you give youngsters a chance !
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Linkboy13 added 21:14 - Aug 23 Too many people on here are getting carried away with these kick about games. Come the start of the season the first team squad will be very much the same . So expect us to get out muscled unless there's a change of personal.
1

ipswich134 added 05:48 - Aug 24 I don't what others think but I find Norwood a liability, he seems to be overly aggressive and more likely to be sent off if he doesn't score. Hope he focus on getting on the score sheet and keep his calm.
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blues1 added 10:08 - Aug 24 Britanniaman. If u bothered to keep up with things, ud have seen that the reason Norwood isnt fully fit yet, is because his rehab from his op was interrupted by the lockdown. And also, that he could possibly be involved against west ham tomorrow.
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Linkboy13 added 11:27 - Aug 24 Yes Ipswich 134 I agree with you to a certain extent, he seems to be in the news nearly as much as the club itself. Needs to concentrate on his game and stop acting the tough guy on the pitch ,which he isn't. Wouldn't be too disappointed if he left doesn't live up to his ego for me.
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Pencilpete added 13:19 - Aug 24 Let him go on loan to Swindon and then hopefully we'll get 50k for him when he tears it up there and moves into the championship for £3m we can pat ourselves on the back cos we had a 10% sell on clause inserted and not worry that like Rhodes and Marriott we had a natural goalscorer and let them go for next to nothing because we didn't rate them as highly as Priskin, Jason Scotland and Frank Nouble

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Bluearmy_81 added 16:02 - Aug 24 Pete the club is in a shocking state but the happy clappers will keep pretending and deluding themselves we have more hope than we do despite little positive progress. If less town fans were apathetic unquestioning doormats maybe we wouldn't be in such a state...
2

therein61 added 17:12 - Aug 24 I feel that Norwoods off field activities are taking over from his football he appears to be doing what he wants on a bloody good contract instead of applying himself in a professional manner, either get him to shape up or let him go his attitude is not helping.
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therein61 added 17:15 - Aug 24 Having had my Norwood rant, i think if given a run to build his confidence Drinan can be a good player for us he has been p1ssed about and farmed out ever since being brought in at least in the 2 games so far he looks like he wants to be here and play.
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