Ipswich Town have announced that they will be offering professional contracts to six academy scholars.

James Blanchfield, George Fowler, Monty Patterson, Chris Smith, Shane McLoughlin and Jacob Marsden have all been told by Blues boss Mick McCarthy that an offer will be made that will keep them at Portman Road for at least another season.

– Midfielder Blachfield spent eight years at Arsenal before joining Ipswich at 16. He also spent time at Manchester United.

– Central defender Fowler hails from Debenham. He has been playing for the Blues’ Under-18s since he was 14.

– Defender/midfielder Smith is a former Kesgrave High School pupil who has been with the club he supports since the age of eight.

– Irish Under-18 international midfielder McLoughlin joined the club in the summer of 2013. A regular in the Under-21 team this season, he was on the first-team bench for the FA Cup replay at Portsmouth.

– New Zealand U23 international midfielder Paterson joined the club in the summer of 2014. He has spent most of this season sidelined by a serious ankle injury.

– Goalkeeper Marsden was in action for the U21s against Crystal Palace this week having returned to action following a lengthy spell out with a knee ligament injury.