Teenage winger Conor McKendry is not ready for the first team yet, says Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy.
The 19-year-old Northern Ireland youth international scored four and had a hand in two others as the Blues’ Under-23 side thrashed Coventry 6-0 at Playford Road on Monday afternoon.
The diminutive, direct-running academy graduate opened the scoring with a stunning strike, curled home two free-kicks, then rifled home from 25 yards. He also hit the post.
“I did ask him if someone had kidnapped Conor McKendry and replaced him with somebody who hits the target!” joked McCarthy.
“Tongue-in-cheek, of course, but we are always banging on at him about keeping it under the crossbar, TC (Terry Connor) especially.
“I only saw the first half performance because we were training, but he’s doing alright, he’s doing fine. He’s not at the level of the first team yet though.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here