EXCITING prospect Dean Bowditch is hoping he can 'do a Pablo' and force his way into the manager's reckoning.If not the temptation to go out on loan could soon be irresistible.

By Derek Davis

EXCITING prospect Dean Bowditch is hoping he can 'do a Pablo' and force his way into the manager's reckoning.

If not the temptation to go out on loan could soon be irresistible.

The young Blues striker, who netted two goals in three games at the beginning of the season, was sacrificed as Ipswich switched formations and has only seen a few minutes of substitute action this month.

Bowditch has an impressive strike rate of six goals in 10 league starts, including a hat-trick against Watford last season, all when playing alongside Darren Bent, who hit three against Walsall with his former Academy partner up front with him.

Bowditch is likely to start against Doncaster Rovers in the Carling Cup tonight as Joe Royle makes a number of changes for the trip to Belle Vue and the young Blue is looking to make his mark.

Although the 18-year-old also admits he is still young and like all the Town strikers still has to show his worth.

He said: “Scoring goals is the answer for strikers although it is possible to have a good game and not necessarily score. All the forwards have had to prove themselves on a constant basis. The manager knows what I can do it is about showing it when I can and working hard in training.

“Look at Pablo, he was down but he has bounced back in the best way possible. He has always had the ability and he has taken his chance and done very well.”

Bowditch admits he has thought about going out on loan to get more regular first- team football. A number of clubs have enquired about taking him on a temporary basis but Blues boss Joe Royle has so far resisted. Bowditch too has been happy to stay patient. He said: “It does pop in to my head now and again to go out on loan but the manager has not said he is not going to play me.

“It is frustrating not to be playing but he has asked me to be patient and I'm happy to do that at the moment.”

Not playing regularly makes it harder for all players and Bowditch admits he still has strides to make in going on as a substitute and making a difference.

He said: “It is difficult to get into the rhythm of game and at a such a young age I'm still learning how to get into the game quickly and make that one pass that could change things.”

The 18-year-old is being tracked by a number of Premiership clubs, although a report on a fanzine website saying he had told a local radio station he was joining Liverpool in January was dismissed by the youngster as “a bunch of rubbish.”

Essex-boy Dean will also be interested to see how Colchester United, and his older brother Ben, get on against West Brom tonight.

He said: “Ben is a bit like me at the moment and not certain of playing as there is a lot of competition in midfield for them. So it would be lovely if we can both be involved and help our sides go through.”