Ipswich Town youngster David October believes the future is bright at Portman Road, as he looks to make his own breakthrough with the Blues.

The 18-year-old penned a one-year professional deal with the club earlier this year and has featured in first-team action this summer, scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at Gillingham.

October was joined by Jonny Leddy, Jack Marriott, Tom Winter and Mark Timlin in signing a first professional deal and all five are expected to push on this season.

“It’s very exciting, five first-year pros have come through and are pushing each other on which is great,” said October.

“We are all competitive and work hard and encourage each other. There is also the second-year scholars that are coming through and doing very well, the likes of Kyle Hammond and Byron Lawrence.

“It’s good to have a nucleus of under-21s knocking on the first-team door.”

October was signed from the Histon academy to join the Blues’ under-15 scholarship programme, having been spotted by scout, Kit Carson and revealed he is one of a number from that set-up that made progress in the professional game.

“We had quite a good squad back then. Byron Lawrence was there as was Izzy Brown who has just signed for Chelsea and it was kind of a feeder club for players to move on to bigger academies,” he said.

Meanwhile, October has not ruled out making a temporary move away from Ipswich, in order to further enhance his footballing development.

“It’s most definitely an area I would look into. First-team football gives you the experience that’s needed and it would definitely be an option to look at, possibly at Christmas or in January,” the defender added.

“If the option came up I would seize the opportunity.”

Why David October nearly gave up football, only in tomorrow’s Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times.