IPSWICH TOWN: Blues youngster Reggie Lambe is prepared to miss out on a chance for more international honours so that he will be available to face Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

The two-legged tie against the Gunners clashes with Bermuda’s second attempt to qualify for next April’s CONCACAF Under-20 Championship tournament in Guatemala.

Lambe, 19, said: “I’m not sure if I can play in the next round because I may have important games at Ipswich so it all really depends on what’s going on.”

Ipswich’s dates with Arsenal are Wednesday January 12 and Tuesday January 25 with Bermuda’s qualifiers taking place between January 17 and 28 against opponents and a venue yet to be determined.

Lambe has been a regular starter in this season’s Carling Cup run and played the first half of last week’s 1-0 victory over Premier League West Brom.

“We played well and defended brilliantly all over the pitch,” said Lambe.

The former Dandy Town Hornet player on the Atlantic island put his professional career on hold in October to represent Bermuda in CONCACAF Under 20 Championship qualifiers in Guadeloupe where Gary Darrell’s team failed to grasp the sole automatic qualifying spot despite going unbeaten in the round robin tournament.

Hosts Guadeloupe pipped Bermuda on goal difference to cement their place in next April’s 12-team confederation final in Guatemala.

Jack Ainsley, who started two Carling Cup games earlier this season, is currently on loan at Blue Square Premier Histon, but looking to impress Blues boss Roy Keane.

The 19-year-old said: “If you play well every week, as the Ipswich manager has shown already, he’ll throw any young lad in.

“I’m at Histon until December 20 and I’m taking each game as it comes and then I’ll let both managers sort what happens to me then.”