Former Ipswich Town and England star Kieron Dyer is predicting a ‘golden era’ of young players set to come through the Portman Road ranks.

Dyer, 35, is one of the academy coaches at Playford Road, under the auspices of head coach Bryan Klug.

And the midfield maestro, who won 33 England caps as well playing more than 300 League games, including almost 100 for Ipswich, senses the Suffolk club are on the verge of a new generation of home-grown talent.

“I can see a golden era of young players coming through at Ipswich in the next few years,” said Dyer.

“I see these young boys almost every day, especially the under-14s, 15s, 16s. I thought I had ability at their age, but I’m telling you there are kids there with more talent than I ever had when I was as old as them. Many of them have huge potential.

“In the next four or five years I can honestly see a conveyor-belt of talent coming out of the Ipswich academy. There are so many good players there.”

Dyer is enjoying life working under Klug, a man he has nothing but praise for.

“Everyone knows Bryan’s record,” Dyer added.

“I think things went a bit stale in recent years, but now Bryan is back I see a very bright future for Ipswich’s academy.”

Dyer was one of a host of talented stars discovered at the Ipswich academy back in the 1990s under Klug, along with the likes of Titus Bramble, James Scowcroft, Richard Wright and, later on, Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose.

In recent years fewer players have made the step-up into the first team, but Dyer feels that is set to change.

“Luke Hyam, Tommy Smith and Connor Wickham have come through but not that many recently,” Dyer said.

“But I think you’ll see that change a lot in the next four or five years – already Teddy Bishop and Matt Clarke are making their mark.”