Freddie Sears still has a role to play at Ipswich Town despite not being involved in the Blues’ last four games.
The striker has played just three times under new manager Paul Hurst, who opted to leave him out of the squad completely for the clash with Norwich on September 2, but has subsequently missed out with a groin injury.
He will travel to Birmingham this weekend, though, with Hurst praising the 28-year-old’s attitude and insisting he remains in his plans.
“He’s trained this week, looked quite sharp today in fairness and has scored a few goals,” Hurst said of Sears.
“He will certainly travel with us to Birmingham and could be involved again.
“The first time he was left out was my decision and then he’s missed matches through injury rather than being left out after that initial game.
“Freddie may well have his part to play. Just because I didn’t involve him doesn’t mean he’s cast aside.
“He’s a great lad. He’s not loud but when something is going on it often involves Freddie because he’s a funny character who is popular in the group.
“He’s a player we’ve got who has played Championship level and you hope he wouldn’t be fazed by anything. Maybe he feels he has a little bit of a point to prove.”
When asked if he considered giving Sears and striker Ellis Harrison minutes in the Under 23s in recent weeks, Hurst replied: “I think I’ve shown already it won’t just be a squad made up of just under 23s with no ‘senior’ players in it, but in Freddie’s case I didn’t feel I would get enough out of him.
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“I think he would be better training with the group. Ellis (Harrison) is similar at this time because, even though he didn’t get on at the weekend he’s played some part more often than not.
“The hard part, if you do include them, some of the lads who probably need gametime more in terms of their development (have to be left out).”
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