Needham Market youngster Keiran Morphew will head to his Ipswich Town trial on Monday with a ringing endorsement from Blues boss Mick McCarthy.

Morphew who predominantly plays right-back for the Ryman Premier Division side, impressed at centre-back alongside Joe Robinson, in the Blues’ under-21s 1-0 win over QPR, at Playford Road, on Monday.

Such was his positive impact that McCarthy offered the 22-year-old Ipswich-born prospect a week’s first-team trial, which starts on Monday.

At his pre-match press conference yesterday, McCarthy, when asked about Morphew’s early impact, said the former St Albans School and Stoke High School pupil’s trial was one of the best he had ever seen.

“He was excellent. I thought he did everything we could have asked of him. I spoke to him afterwards and said that’s as good a trial performance as I’ve seen – take Tyrone Mings out of the equation,” said McCarthy

“He was really composed, it didn’t look like he’d just tipped up and played on the day. Everything he did was calm and collected and composed.

“I really like him. We’ll have another look and see.

“Steve Foley is a big advocate of Keiran’s. Sparky (Mark Kennedy) has seen him play, Taff (Ian Evans) has seen him play and they’ve all given good reports.

“If he plays again on Monday at Brentford (for the U21s) I’ll go and watch him again.

Morphew, who is expected to start for struggling Needham tomorrow as they attempt to pull away from trouble with a victory at rock-bottom Lewes, insists he won’t put himself under any undue pressure.

“I have just got to go to Ipswich and have the best time possible as not every youngster gets the chance to play at a professional club and under a manager like Mick McCarthy,” said Morphew.

“I just need to go and play my game.”

Morphew joined Needham’s academy under Kevin Horlock and has since gone on to make 102 appearances for Needham, scoring six goals.

“I have always had ambitions to play professionally, but playing football with Needham has given me a taste of it as the club is run so professionally.

“It’s great to work with the likes of Steve Foley and former pros such as Kem Izzet, Ian Westlake and others.”

Shane McLoughlin scored the only goal of the game on Monday, as Town’s youngsters secured a first win in nine and first clean sheet in 13 matches.

“I was extremely nervous when I discovered I was playing but I was also excited as well,” explained Morphew.

“I felt a bit of pressure but I had nothing to lose and I seemed to receive good reports.

“I really did not pay much attention to who was watching on the touchline.

“I was concentrating on not making any mistakes but I was a bit nervous as my parents and sister were watching.”