Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ absence from the Ipswich Town first-team follows an angry voicemail message left for manager Mick McCarthy by the player’s mother, it has been reported.

The Arsenal loanee hasn’t featured for Mick McCarthy’s side since the loss away at Cardiff on March 12, with The Sun reporting his absence is due to a voicemail left by the youngster’s mother, Jule.

It is said the expletive-filled message came after McCarthy prevented the teenager from taking part in an England kit launch recently, in order for him to stay with the Blues to prepare for an upcoming midweek game.

An Arsenal source told The Sun McCarthy was so shocked by the message that he asked his coaching staff to listen to ensure ‘he wasn’t going mad’.

“Mick’s a Yorkshireman and he’s prepared to tolerate most things, but not something like this,” the source said.

“The language was disgusting and so poisonous that it even shocked Mick. He’s only ever tried to do what’s right for the kid and protect his career, but this is something new to him.

“He likes the boy and thinks he has potential to be a top player, but he’s worried that his mother is having a detrimental affect on his career.”