IPSWICH Town first team coach Sean McCarthy is looking to arrange a number of reserve team games against Premier League ‘big boys’ over the coming weeks.

The Blues have decided to arrange their own second string games this season rather than continuing in a rapidly thinning East Combination League.

McCarthy has been designated in charge of the reserve team and, following easy wins against Gillingham and Peterborough recently, he is now hoping to set-up some tougher tests for the Blues’ fringe players and youngsters.

“I’ve been on the phone to Ronnie Jepson at QPR and we’re hoping to get a game with them tied up in the next couple of weeks,” said McCarthy.

“We want to be playing strong opposition and if we can get the ‘big boys’ down, the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal, then we may even play those games at Portman Road.

“We will also be looking to play at the opposition’s training ground as well as I think that will benefit our players if they are playing somewhere other than at home.”

All of Ipswich’s reserve team games have been played behind-closed-doors so far this season due to a combination of costs and the need to keep triallists away from the eyes of other team’s scouts.

The club will make some second string games open to supporters though, with details to be posted on the club website 24 hours before kick-off.