IT appeared to be another normal training day for Lewis Price when he arrived at Playford Road yesterday, writes Derek Davis. By mid-day had had been given the news every budding young pro dies to hear from Joe Royle – 'you're in the first-team squad son.

IT appeared to be another normal training day for Lewis Price when he arrived at Playford Road yesterday, writes Derek Davis. By mid-day had had been given the news every budding young pro dies to hear from Joe Royle – 'you're in the first-team squad son.'

Price celebrated by going to clean his boots under the outside tap there he was subjected to the usual banter and the well-dones. Keepers James Pullen and Andy Marshall were the first to offer their hands and a quiet word.

Thomas Gaardsoe used my tape-machine to conduct an impromptu interview with the beaming 18-year-old. He handled it well and gave the first, I'm sure, of many to come.

He said: "Obviously I'm delighted but I'm more shocked than anything.

"It was a shock to hear that James was leaving but then to hear I was called into the squad was a surprise.

"It has to be one of the happiest days of my career. I'm really nervous but looking forward to it."

The Bournemouth-born youngster started his young career at Southampton but it did not work out and was released, joining Ipswich after a short trial in October 2001.

Although a Welsh under-19 international there was still room for improvement and he has developed to play at Under-19s and reserve team level at Town. He kept a clean sheet at Coventry reserves in midweek watched by Royle.

Price said: "Being with Wales is a good experience and has helped me come on. But I owe an awful lot to Malcolm Webster who has helped me a lot since coming here."

Price is one of five teenagers likely to be on the bench tomorrow but may have to settle just for that experience, but as he discovered yesterday, you never know what the day might bring.