FORGOTTEN man Scott Barron has been reassured that he has a future at Ipswich Town.The left-sided Blues' player has returned to full fitness after a year out with injury and impressed manager Joe Royle during the reserves' 1-0 win against Leicester City in mid-week.

By Derek Davis

FORGOTTEN man Scott Barron has been reassured that he has a future at Ipswich Town.

The left-sided Blues' player has returned to full fitness after a year out with injury and impressed manager Joe Royle during the reserves' 1-0 win against Leicester City in mid-week.

The Blues' boss is keen to see Barron push on now after his groin problems and would consider loaning him out to help him develop further.

Royle said: “Scott was doing very well just before he got injured and, against Leicester, was by far the best he has been for quite a while as he gets back to full fitness. He just needs more games now to progress.

“If a club that was not too far away wanted him for a short spell then we would seriously consider it. That said, it is still very much in my head that Scott can make it at Ipswich.”

Barron looked composed and solid and, along with James Krause, stood out for the Blues on Wednesday in a game he enjoyed.

The 19-year-old said: “I'm feeling fit and strong now. Missing a year through injury takes it out of you. Realistically now, though, I'm fit enough to be challenging for a place in the first-team squad, although whether I'm good enough will be down to the gaffer. I have had six games and I'm pushing on, gaining match sharpness all the time.”

Discovered while playing for St Ives as a 10-year-old by Malcolm Moore, Barron is another of Town's Academy graduates but will be a free agent next summer unless he can secure a new deal at Portman Road.

His ability to operate anywhere down the left side, and in central midfield, should hold him in good stead, although he eventually wants to nail down one position.

Barron said: “It is a massive season for me. I'm in the last year of my contract so it is up to me to prove I'm worth a new deal. That means I have to be getting some first-team football under my belt. It is the reality of football and I'm aware of it.”

With Jay McEveley and Matt Richards ahead of Barron at the moment, a loan move may be his best option and it is something Barron is willing to do if it helps him improve.

He said: “Again, that would be down to the gaffer. If I'm not going to get a sniff here then perhaps that is what I will have to do.

“If they thought it would help me be a better player, and give me more experience, then I would be willing to do that to help me get a new contract.

“I will do anything to stay and make the grade at Ipswich but I don't see it as a negative thing to go out on loan.

“I can gain valuable first-team experience, the physical aspect will help my game and that is a positive thing.

“But, if he says I should stay around and thinks I have a chance, then I'm willing to do that too.”

Scott Mitchell also took another step to full recovery and is looking for more game-time, but neither have been included in Town's 18-man squad which travels to Leeds today and will stay in the north for their game at Burnley on Tuesday.

Young striker Danny Haynes keeps his place and Fabian Wilnis returns after injury, although Sito Castro may keep his starting place along with McEveley as the full-backs, with the Dutchman being lined-up to play at Turf Moor.

Leeds will be without the suspended David Healy, while Rob Hulse has an ankle injury but is expected to recover and Robbie Blake a calf strain, so Richard Cresswell is expected to start after nabbing both goals in their League Cup win at Rotherham.

Town target Ian Moore is also in contention to keep his place, although changes will be made from Tuesday's winning side.

derek.davis@archant.co.uk