YOUNG winger Josh Carson has got to prove he wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

That’s according to Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell, who says he is disappointed with the way the much-hyped Northern Irish teenager has returned following the summer break.

“He’s come back not in as good a shape as he possibly could have been,” said the Blues boss, ahead of tonight’s visit of in-form Southampton to Portman Road.

“I think sometimes when you burst onto the scene as a young player you can have people blowing in your ear about this, that and the other.

“He is one of a few that is out-of-contract at the end of this season and the owner [Marcus Evans] is speaking with his agent, but he has still got a little bit to prove. He just needs to knuckle down and concentrate on his football.”

Plucked from the Blues academy by Jewell back in March, Carson quickly endeared himself to the Portman Road faithful with three goals in a week and some skilful displays at the start of his professional career.

So far this season, though, he has been limited to just cameo appearances in the club’s opening two Championship games of the season.

Following Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Hull, Jewell has revealed that he is likely to switch to a more attack-minded 4-4-2 formation for tonight’s visit of the newly-promoted Saints admitting that his side ‘have to give the fans more excitement at home’.

- See today’s EADT and Evening Star for comment, predictions, tactical insight and all the latest team news ahead of tonight’s game.