Needham Market defender Keiran Morphew is remaining philosophical after being told he will not be offered a deal by Ipswich Town.

The 22-year-old centre-back was broken the news after following up his original impressive trial performance with another solid display for the club’s Under-21s side at Portman Road on Tuesday night.

You’d forgive him for finding the prospect of returning to a relegation-scrap in the Ryman League Premier Division an underwhelming one given his experience at Portman Road, but instead he is reflecting on just how far he has come.

“Mick McCarthy and Marl Kennedy (Ipswich Under-21s manager) sat down with me after the game and explained they couldn’t offer me anything,” said Morphew.

“They said there was a lot of competition for places at centre-half with Paul Digby and Matt Clarke coming through behind the experienced first team players in that position.

“They said they couldn’t guarantee me first team football which, at 22, is what they would be looking at me for. I think at my age I would be coming out of the first team budget, so I’m not sure if that played a part. If I was younger then you never know what would have happened, but I’m not am I!?”

The former Suffolk New College student continued: “It was obviously disappointing, but I’m trying to think about the bigger picture. I’m an Ipswich lad and I’ve only ever been a local footballer. To be honest, four or five years ago I couldn’t even get in the Needham reserve side.

“Then (former Ipswich Town player) Kevin Horlock came in to run the academy, he had faith in me and I progressed from there. Steve Foley (Needham first team coach and Ipswich Town academy coach) and Mark Morsley (Needham manager) fought my corner.

“Because I got injured between the two Town trials I had a lot of time to think, but I never placed too much hope on it. I just approached it with the mentality that I could only do my best and I think I did that.

“I’m still really happy at Needham and now I have to get focussed on a big weekend for us. We’re in a relegation scrap and we’ve got two big games over Easter.”

Asked if the experience might lead to other professional clubs showing an interest in him, he added: “Maybe. I suppose I haven’t done myself any harm. I gave it my best shot and I’ll see where that takes me.

“I thank Ipswich for the opportunity, it was a great experience and a real eye-opener being around a professional training ground.”