McCarthy has had ‘private discussions’ with out-of-favour Cameron Stewart
Cameron Stewart
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has had ‘private discussions’ with out-of-favour winger Cameron Stewart.
The former Manchester United youngster, now 23, is yet to make his Blues debut after a Bosman free transfer switch from Premier League side Hull City in the summer.
A broken jaw, suffered in the final pre-season match, followed by a knee injury sustained when playing for the Under-21s, has made for a stop-start time for the direct-running wide man at Portman Road.
He’s been back in full training for some time now though, yet remains well down the pecking order for wide players – new signing Dylan Connolly, a 21-year-old recruited from Irish second tier side Shelbourne, leapfrogging him straight into the first team squad.
“The injuries put him back certainly,” said McCarthy, when asked about Stewart.
“We have discussions with Cameron about what he has to do, but those discussions will remain private between us. He’s got to try and force his way in.”
On Connolly, an Irish Under-21 international who scored 12 goals as Shelbourne finished second in the Airtricity League First Division last October, played for the Blues’ Under-21s on Monday.
Most Read
- 1 The most beautiful places to live in Suffolk - according to estate agents
- 2 Cash machines stolen in ram raid at Tesco in Brandon
- 3 Serious fire breaks out at home in Woodbridge
- 4 Town set to appeal Morsy's FA charge
- 5 Weather warning in place for Suffolk as temperatures plunge below freezing
- 6 Norwood set to stay... despite seven clubs showing interest
- 7 20th century former light railway station to be converted into properties
- 8 Devastated family wrongly told prisoner hanged himself weeks before release
- 9 The Secrets of Dunwich: East Anglia's lost capital
- 10 North Stander: Now we can win ugly, and that's so important
“He’ll be in the squad that travels on Saturday,” said McCarthy, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Championship match at Fulham.
“He’s quick, but he can play too. He knows how to get the ball on the inside and he also knows how to take the full-back on and go on the outside.
“We scored two goals from two crosses on Tuesday (in the 2-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday). Good crosses can be key and he’ll provide that if he gets a chance I’m sure.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy reiterated his frustration that FIFA red tape continues to prevent the Blues playing another recruit from Shelbourne – central midfielder Adam McDonnell – in competitive matches.
Asked about the 17-year-old, who joined the Blues last summer, he said: “We’ll have to wait until he’s 21 now. We’ll have to get him out diapers, get him three A-Levels, get him educated to super sonic engineer scientist level and then we’ll be able to play him. Just don’t get me started on that.”
