JACK Marriott will have to bide his time before making the step-up to the first-team squad.

Ipswich Town’s teenage striker hit a hat-trick for the Under-21s in their 3-2 home win over Barnet at the weekend.

But assistant boss Chris Hutchings has ruled out promoting Marriott ahead of the likes of Nathan Ellington and Ronan Murray.

Hutchings said: “Jack is honest and hard-working and took his goals well. That will do his confidence no end of good, but it is early days yet.”

One other youngster who will have to remain patient is midfielder Cheick Kourouma, who also played in the win over Barnet.

Of his new recruit, Blues boss Paul Jewell said: “We have taken on a few young lads below the first-team that we are hoping can turn out to be first-team players. He is nowhere near the finished article yet, but he will get better.”