Impressive young midfielder Flynn Downes has signed a new three-year deal at Portman Road.

Downes, 18, has caught the eye for the Blues in their pre-season games so far with his tenacity, willingness to run with the ball and eye for a pass.

He impressed again as he played the first hour of Tuesday’s night’s 3-1 victory over Peterborough United.

Downes was also involved in the first-team towards the end of last season, and made the bench for the 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the campaign. His new deal will keep him at the Blues until 2020.

His showings have earned praise from boss Mick McCarthy, who said recently: “I really do like Flynn, I think he’ll contribute this season. Technically he’s really good, he’s athletic, puts his foot in and is a real competitor. He shows no respect for the first teamers in training, he comes and dumps them on their backsides if they need dumping on their backsides. I love that about him.”