PAUL Jewell has dubbed Josh Carson as “the new George Best.”

PAUL Jewell has dubbed Josh Carson as “the new George Best.”

That might sound a bit far-fetched, considering that only a month ago 17-year-old Carson had not even played a League match.

But Jewell was referring to Carson’s colourful personality, as much as any potential footballing prowess, especially as Town’s new find actually forgot to go to training on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international, perhaps still basking in the glory of his two goals in Town’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, was sitting at home when the phone rang – it was Jewell telling him to drop everything and get down to training.

In the end, Carson was only a few minutes late, but Jewell kept ducking the apologies from his new teenage sensation for the rest of the day.

Of course all is forgiven, and Carson is set to start his fourth successive game against Middlesbrough at Portman Road this evening.

“I’ve called him the new George Best,” revealed Jewell, with a wry smile.

“Josh forgot to go to training yesterday. I was just counting the numbers as I was going around and I saw there was one missing.

“Where’s Josh Carson? – I asked. All the players said they didn’t know, so I rang him.

“He was here five minutes afterwards. He probably had every newspaper there, and he had his Mum turning one page over, and his Dad turning the next page.

“I told everyone about training, but I think what’s happened is that after the game he’s on such a high that he probably hasn’t heard me.

“It was a genuine mistake, but that’s what he is like. Having said that, my boots are clean this morning! Josh is a lovely kid, but he’s got to make sure that he’s got his head switched on. He’s a cheeky chappy,” added Jewell.

And so was George Best!