THERE were no wild celebrations for one of England’s hottest footballing properties at the weekend despite Connor Wickham reaching 18 and scoring in Saturday’s 2-1 Ipswich Town Championship victory at Burnley.

With the world at his feet a trawl around the West End would have been on the agenda for many in Wickham’s position to put on a mark on becoming a man.

But Wickham comes from good stock and knows what is important in his life.

He spent yesterday quietly at home. “It was Mothers’ Day and that was where I wanted to be,” he said.

Mum Nicky and dad Stefan have been influential in keeping Wickham’s feet on the ground and preparing him for life in a goldfish bowl, and a Wayne Rooney-type foul mouthed rant at TV cameras is the last reaction you would expect from Wickham, who added:

“My dad has not missed a game this season. Even with England, he came to Denmark.

“I have definitely got the right family behind me.

“Having good parents is a good help.

“I have the right people around me, and I am at the right club. Everything that goes on behind scenes and is in the newspapers is nothing to do with me and goes over my head.

“It’s been a good week for me - what with the birthday playing for England Under-21’s, and on Saturday the boys dug in well at Burnley.”

Wickham, who is believed to be on the brink of extending his current Town contract beyond June 2013 and join Gareth McAuley and Damien Delaney in signing new deals, confirms that he has also benefited since Paul Jewell came to the club - scoring all his seven goals this season since the start of January.

Coach Sean McCarthy is a former striker - like Jewell - and the well spoken Wickham said: “Sean has helped me, as has the boss and his number two Chris Hutchings.

“Sean has taken me for individual sessions after training, shooting, first touch, and holding the ball up and my game has improved.

“As soon as my first goal came this season, I knew that more would come.

“Every striker goes through a dry patch, I had mine at the start of the season. I’ve been in the right place at the right time since then.”

Wickham is pleased to have a younger player than himself in the side and starting to make his way in the game.

“I’ve been mates with Josh Carson for four or five years now and he’s a great lad.

“He’s worked so hard and played Under-21’s for Ireland. He’s now getting his chance in the first team and I hope he goes far.

“He deserves it and I hope a few of the other boys can come through, whether it be from the reserves or the youth team.”

Talking about his goal that bounced up and over Lee Grant, Wickham said: “It was the icing on the cake for me. I was in the right place at the right time and managed to finish it. I got my head on the ball before the defender did.”