Boss Mick McCarthy was pleasantly surprised by young left-back David October’s stunning winning goal in the Blues’ 2-1 friendly win at Gillingham. The 18-year-old netted in injury time to keep up Town’s 100% record in pre-season.

The Blues manager said: “I wasn’t the way I was expecting [it to end], but I was delighted. I think we deserved to win the game. We had plenty of chances, their keeper made some good saves.

“But it wasn’t quite what I expected, Rocco with an unbelievable technical right-foot volley. A fabulous finish.”

McCarthy says trialist Titus Bramble only joined up with the squad on Monday having been at West Ham: “He’s obviously interested in coming or he wouldn’t be here and likewise I’m interested taking him or I wouldn’t have him here.

“He trained yesterday and played today, that’s all. He’s Titus Bramble, he did what he had to do tonight. It’s early days.”

McCarthy said he was pleased with the two other trialists, Tottenham’s Bongani Khumalo and former Manchester United man Frederic Veseli: “I thought he was excellent, Bongani. I was delighted with him, really, really pleased, as I was with Veseli.

“I think he’s got a bit of quality about him. I was pleased with all the lads who came on trial and trained and played. We’ll see, we’ll see how they get on.”

The Town manager confirmed that the Blues had ended their interest in ex-Southampton defender Dan Seaborne, who was in action for Yeovil this evening: “He had other options as well, so that’s just the way it is. Not all of them work out.”

Regarding Aaron Cresswell, who missed the game with a thigh injury, McCarthy says he should be involved at Barnet on Saturday: “It’s not serious, I’d hope he’ll play on Saturday, if he can get in after a right-footed finish like that!”

Photo: Action Images

ipswichtillidie added 22:30 - Jul 16 Looks like Titus will be back then...
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Jimmys_Law added 22:33 - Jul 16 Sounds promising about the trialists.
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itfchorry added 22:36 - Jul 16 At the game tonight - All round good performance - This boy October looks like he is a new Town Star. Welcome home Titus. COYB
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bluemikey100 added 22:52 - Jul 16 great goal by youngster lookin gud bout titus hope jack marriot scores a few as well if gets a chance
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BlueMachines added 22:52 - Jul 16 If they're good enough, sign 'em up. Whoever they are.
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Michael11 added 23:01 - Jul 16 Didn't go myself but heard Veseli was very good and Titus and Khumalo did everything that they could do. Would like to see us sign all 3 to be honest. Our squad is coming together nicely now. Roll on 3 weeks!!
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manualthetisfanclub added 23:03 - Jul 16 Titus bramble mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I dunno,don't really think so to be honest,would rather have stearman but alas he costs to much money!
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Mark added 23:15 - Jul 16 Well done to the lads for another away win against League One opposition. Sounds like we are spoilt for choice with central defenders wanting to join us, which is great. It'll be a dilemma with Smith and Chambers already being a successful partership, but the competition is good and I am sure Mick will make the right choices.
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dangerous30 added 23:33 - Jul 16 Mick is after players who wants to play for us/mick and after the last few seasons it does not sound like a bad thing.
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Seasider added 23:35 - Jul 16 Relieved to hear Mick mention Cressy as a bit worried that he was absent for transfer reasons. Often players returning to old clubs doesn't work out;but not always John Wark? Nice to see youngsters being included;but why no Jack Marriot?
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Robbie12345 added 00:00 - Jul 17 Hope Veseli and one of Bramble or Khumalo. Veseli would be a good player to have as right-back, as he sounds speedy. Would go for Bramble, as a first choise, due to amount played last season, experience and the love for the club. Also he wouldn't be a loan! Although, (*touch wood* it doesn't) if the Bramble deal fell through, would still be happy with Khumalo for back up/alongside Smith. Sign 'em up Micky :)

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murhtuG added 00:20 - Jul 17 Seasider - Marriot played an hour (in boiling heat) on Sat at Chippenham. Prob why he wasn't involved today.
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sereneblue added 07:53 - Jul 17 Bramble........ticking time bomb. Ipswich need to move on, youth is the answer.
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Count_Arthur added 08:36 - Jul 17 Agree sereneble, just wait to Bramble makes some of his (all too regular) mistakes at the back and the North Stand will be on his back. Sorry to sound negative but Bramble's not for us. Just because he supports Town doesn't mean he's right for us now.
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LankHenners added 09:42 - Jul 17 We can't expect all of our up-and-coming youth players to be involved every match: Marriot was being given a rest from the Chippenham match. I would expect him to be involved next game.
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essextractorboy93 added 13:03 - Jul 17 Good performance by the lads tonight. Sounds like Veseli had a great game, sign him up, good young player looking to prove himself. Think Bramble is a bit past it and he won't want to be 2nd choice and he ultimately will be as Smith and Chambers were formidable at the end of last season. Would like to see Veseli and Khumalo signed up. In Mick we trust!
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Pendejo added 13:08 - Jul 17 In Mick I trust COYB!
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