Woking manager Garry Hill praised the professionalism of young Ipswich Town striker Jack Marriott, and has thanked Blues boss Mick McCarthy for lending him the youngster.

Marriott, a prolific scorer for Town’s under-21 squad, made his debut for the Cards in Tuesday night’s 3-0 home win against Dartford and left the Kingfield Stadium clutching the man of the match award, following a goal and an assist.

The teenager’s long-term aim is to break into the first team at Portman Road but, with his chances limited in Suffolk at the present time, jumped at the chance to help the struggling Cards.

That desire has been welcomed by Hill, whose side are a point from relegation safety, ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with the Skrill Premier’s whipping boys, Hyde.

“Jack worked very hard, showed great movement and took his goal very well,” said experienced non-league boss Hill, who has led the likes of Dagenham & Redbridge, Rushden and Diamonds and Heybridge Swifts during a successful managerial career.

“He contributed to the second goal and that capped off a very good debut and I am grateful for the help from Mick McCarthy, who has allowed us to play a part in his development as a player.”

McCarthy was an interested observer at Woking on Tuesday night and will surely be contemplating a longer stay for Marriott, who penned his first professional deal with the club – a one-year contract – towards the end of last season.

“Mick has got a sensible, level-headed player in Jack,” added Hill, who was alerted to Marriott’s goalscoring prowess by a trusted scout.

“He is focused to do well and from my first meeting with him, it was clear to see he was ambitious to do well.

“He has his feet on the ground and this is his chance to get himself in the best possible condition to earn that chance to play for Ipswich’s first team.

“I don’t think you can beat week in, week out football in terms of improving your sharpness and becoming more consistent.

“It can help develop players. You only have to look at Jamie Vardy who was scoring a lot of goals in non-league (for FC Halifax and Fleetwood) who has pushed on to play in the Championship with Leicester City.

“Matt Green was scoring lots of goals for Mansfield last season and is in the Championship with Birmingham now, while we had Billy Knott who had a successful loan spell here last season and made his debut for Sunderland in May.”

He added: “Mick came to watch Jack on Tuesday and had a look at our set-up and how we like to play football. I had a chat with him before the game and it was nice to see him.

“Hopefully Jack can continue to help us, which in turn will help him and Ipswich Town in the future.”