Blues boss Kieran McKenna has praised youngster Edwin Agbaje’s “fantastic attitude” following the right-back’s senior debut in the Papa Johns Trophy at Cambridge on Tuesday.

Republic of Ireland U18 international Agbaje, 18, impressed having started against the U’s before being replaced in the 87th minute and was joined by fellow academy products Tawanda Chirewa and Cameron Humphreys in the starting line-up, while Albie Armin came off the bench.

“I think, first and foremost, he’s a really hungry and determined young man and that’s the really endearing part of him and the bit that gives him the best chance to be successful,” McKenna said.

“He’s got a fantastic attitude, trains well with the U21s, shows good leadership in that group and sets standards, and when he comes across with us he’s always hungry to improve and to learn.

“He’s got a long way to go and he knows that himself and he’s got lots of improving to do. But at the moment he is improving and learning all the time, and he’s got to keep working and going that way.”

McKenna says U21s players are involved with his first team on a very regular basis: “Pretty much every week. Of course, it depends on the nature of each week whether it’s a week where we have a midweek game or we have no midweek game.

“But I think pretty much every week they’re up, sometimes to train against us and we play matches against them, sometimes to join in the session and be a part of it.

“I think the relationship there is really good. We have a good relationship with John McGreal, with the U21s, a good relationship with all the academy staff.

“We’ve got [new academy manager] Dean [Wright], who’s not long been in the building but is getting to grips with everything and starting to move things in the direction he wants to and you’ve got figures like Bryan Klug there, who I’ve known for a long time [from Tottenham], who’s a really experienced and knowledgable youth developer.

“So there are good people there to communicate with and try and work in the same direction when we’re trying to develop these young players and put them in the right challenges in the right times.

“The other night was a good opportunity, we felt the right time and the right experience for Edwin and Tawanda. They’ve been working well with John and that’s why they got the reward and hopefully it’s not the last time.”

Photo: Steve Waller

johnwarksshorts added 18:00 - Oct 20 Great to see these young players developing so well under great coaching staff.
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Ipswichbusiness added 20:28 - Oct 20 With Baggott, Armin, Stewart and Agbaje we seem to be quite blessed with young central defenders. It remains to be seen how many become first team regulars.
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