IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell says he is “disappointed” by youth team striker Caolan Lavery’s decision to turn down the offer of a six-month professional contract.

The 18-year-old, pictured above, has been in impressive goalscoring form for the Blues’ Under-18s and reserves this season, but now looks set to leave the club when his current deal expires this month.

“It is disappointing,” said Jewell, when asked about the Canadian-born, Northern Ireland junior international’s decision.

“He has worked hard and when I told him that we were offering him his first pro contract, he was delighted.

“Then when we told him what we were paying, his agent was less than delighted.

“Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but when you are offered your first contract, unless you are an exceptional talent like Rooney, the last thing you should look at in the contract is the money.

“If you offer young players too much money it can have an adverse effect on them. They can rock up the next day in a new car and forget what they have done on a football pitch to get it.

“I am surprised he hasn’t signed because it is an opportunity.”