IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell has confirmed that Josh Carson’s omission at Leeds last weekend was purely a tactical decision.

The Blues boss had admitted in the build-up to the game that any of his players would be ‘unlucky’ to be dropped following a spirited team performance in a 2-2 home draw with Blackpool the previous weekend.

However, Carson – out of contract in the summer and mulling over the offer of a new three-year deal – was not even among the substitutes, instead fulfilling the role as the travelling ‘17th man’.

Instead, Celtic loanee Daryl Murphy returned to the left-wing, while Grant Leadbitter and Jimmy Bullard were given the nod as midfield options on a five-man bench.

When quizzed about the decision, Jewell said: “He played well (against Blackpool) and maybe people are scratching their heads, but you have to remember we’re not the biggest team (in terms of height).

“We needed to make sure we were strong from set-pieces against Leeds and I think Murph gives us that edge.

“I actually thought he (Murphy) was unlucky to have been left out against Blackpool.”

He continued: “Sometimes the most difficult decision you have to make is selecting the bench. You’re trying to cover all angles.

“We’ve got Lee (Martin) who can play wide, JET (Jay Emmanuel-Thomas) who can play wide and Murph who can play wide out on the pitch.

“So my thinking was that maybe if we had to change the shape of the team – to a diamond of something – I needed central options on the bench.

“Those options obviously got taken away from me by the sending-off (of keeper Alex McCarthy).”

He added: “It’s a squad game and someone always has to be left out. Josh is one for the future and has always been part of my plans.

“He’s a young lad and young lads go up and down. I met his agent on Monday to try and get his new deal sorted.”