Bryan Klug urges Ipswich Town youngsters to make most of stint with seniors

Five of Ipswich Town’s rising stars featured in the Blues’ 2-0 victory in Shelbourne on Saturday evening.

First-year professionals David October and Mark Timlin, along with second-year scholars Amir Berkane, Kyle Hammond and Byron Lawrence, joined Mick McCarthy’s senior side for pre-season training in Kildare this week, and all featured in Dublin.

The quintet, along with emerging striker Jack Marriott, are unlikely to feature heavily in McCarthy’s plans next season but, with the Blues boss still looking to add to his squad, academy director Bryan Klug was keen for them to impress.

“Sometimes players do surprise you and thrive on playing in the first-team when you think they are not ready,” said Klug.

“Kyle Hammond is a right-back and, while Mick (McCarthy) has Elliott Hewitt to play there and is looking for other players, this is a good opportunity for him.

“The big thing with any young player we look at round this area is that the opportunies are there and if you are good enough, it can happen.”

The likes of Hammond and left-back October took to Twitter this week to share their experiences and, as part of their integration, revealed they were made to sing a song in front of the entire first-team squad.

“The opportunity will have helped with their development as a person,” said Klug.

“It takes a certain type of person to be in a dressing room and generally, while the senior pros may give them some tasks to do, it’s good for team building.”