Teenage left-winger Jack Doherty could still have a future at Ipswich Town, insists manager Mick McCarthy.

The 19-year-old was handed a two-year contract last summer after impressing during a trial, but has been loaned back to his former club – Irish side Waterford – after failing to break into the Blues’ first team squad.

“He’s gone back until their (Ireland’s) transfer window opens again in July,” said McCarthy.

“Has he got a future here? If he goes back and plays well at Waterford then yeah. If he comes back and he is like he is now then, no, he hasn’t got a chance. Let’s clear that up. I’ve told him that.”

McCarthy continued: “When he first came and trained with us he was really exciting, he looked great and everybody thought that. Maybe he’s found it difficult living away? I don’t know. He’s not produced that form again though. And unless he does then he won’t have any chance of being in the team.

“As I explained to him, we signed him on the back of him playing well for Waterford. Well go back and play well for them again and see if you can rekindle it. He’s a lovely kid and I’d love him to do it.”

Blues striker Daryl Murphy also started his career at Waterford, failing to make the grade at Luton as a youngster before returning to his hometown club for three more years before finally establishing himself in England with Sunderland.

“I can definitely relate to him (Doherty) because I know how tough it was for me when I first came over to Luton,” said the 30-year-old striker. “You’ve got no-one around you and I know he’s been missing his family and his girlfriend.

“It is hard but you just have to try and stick with it and get your head around that if you want to be successful.

“Me and Hunty (Stephen Hunt) have looked after him, but there’s not much you can do. He has to make his own path to be honest with you. It is tough but he has to find his own feet.”

Murphy added: “He’s got ability, there’s no doubt about that. When he first trained with us we could all see why he was given that contract, he just needs to produce that every day and show the manager what he can do.

“Going back to Waterford should be good for him. He’ll get games and he needs games. I know he was playing under-21s football, but he needs real competitive games week-in, week-out.”