Ipswich Town youngster James Alabi has joined National League side Grimbsy Town on loan until January 3.

The 21-year-old striker, released by Stoke City in the summer, has made one first-team appearance since joining the Blues – scoring in the 4-1 Capital One Cup victory at Doncaster Rovers.

Alabi, who signed a year-long deal at Portman Road, could make his Mariners debut against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. The Lincolnshire side are currently fourth in the table.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy said: “He’s nowhere near playing in the first team when you consider the quartet that we have (Freddie Sears, Dary Murphy, Brett Pitman and David McGoldrick), but he can be a real handful on his day because he’s big and his powerful and he’s very quick. I haven’t met a defender yet who likes playing against that.

“I know it’s the Conference, but he will benefit from playing at that level because there’s a crowd there, people are paying money and it’s not like the 21s where it’s all about development.

“It’s a physically tough league and you have to be a proper bloke to play in it.

“They’ve got a cup game on the TV coming up too (home to Shrewbury in the FA Cup), so I’m sure they did no harm in enticing him up there.”