Paul Hurst is pleased to have been able to introduce Andre Dozzell back into the Ipswich Town fold but will not push the teenager into action before he is ready.

Dozzell was an unused substitute as he featured in a matchday squad for the first time at Birmingham on Saturday, with Hurst and his medical team still managing the England youth international carefully after he missed a year of football with a knee injury.

Hurst sees the youngster as a player who can influence games positively but insisted he is still not ready to play 90 minutes of senior football at this stage.

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“I think that depends on how situations evolve,” he said, when asked about Dozzell’s involvement from this point.

“We thought that, depending how the game was panning out, it (Birmingham) might be a good time to get him back involved.

“We know he has the quality to pick that pass, keep the ball for us, and we felt like it was the right time.

“We’re not at a stage where he can play 90 minutes but it’s still a boost for him personally and for the lads.”

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