Boss Mick McCarthy says summer additions Darren McQueen and Ben Wyatt can help improve the Blues’ U21 side during the season ahead.

Nineteen-year-old striker McQueen, who was on target at Shelbourne on Saturday, and full-back Wyatt, 19, who also played the first half at Tolka Park, were signed on one-year deals after being released by Spurs and Norwich respectively, having been on trial at Portman Road towards the end of last season.

The development squad, coached by Mark Kennedy, finished bottom of the U21 Development League 2 South Division during 2013/14 and if Town are successful in their bid to step up to a category one academy — they are still awaiting confirmation — then should play in an even stronger division this time around.

“I like Darren and I like Ben as well, McCarthy said. “Ben’s a left-back really but played comfortably at right-back [at Shelbourne] and I like that attitude, he just said ‘no problem, I can play there’.

“Darren is someone who I think was highly thought of at Spurs but you can get lost with all those players at Premier League clubs. He has got a bit of something, there’s no doubt about it.

“We’ve tried to get a better U21s team. [There will be players like] Teddy Bishop, maybe not so much Jack Marriott, but he might have to be at the start if he’s not in the first team.

“The other lads that we’ve signed will help Mark Kennedy with his team and hopefully we’ll have a bit more stability there.”

McQueen, Wyatt, Bishop and Marriott are all likely to be involved at some stage during tonight's home friendly against West Ham (KO 7.45pm).

Photo: Action Images

bigolconnor added 07:12 - Jul 16 So Marriot is going to be playing in the first team. Good. He deserves a go.
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Jaffe added 08:18 - Jul 16 so mark kennedy is the man to instill in the young players how we want to play?
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BlueLight added 08:30 - Jul 16 A stronger U21 squad can only help the 1st team squad in the future. Hope they can have a better season and maybe a few of them can take the step up the season after next.
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brian_a_mul added 09:19 - Jul 16 Good to see MM putting some effort and thought in to the U21s. If the younsters see a genuine route to the first team it will only benefit them and the senior squad. RK broke the system and now Mick (and ME) have built it back up. Im sure Klug recommended McQueen from Spurs- Klug has a great eye for talent
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Solly added 09:34 - Jul 16 Lovely news that Mick's considering giving Marriott a go in the first team. Honestly don't think there'll be many better well-rounded, tight knit squads come the first game of the season.
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bluemikey100 added 12:59 - Jul 16 we had mathie n marshall strike force now marriott n mc goldrick gonna be good rogether
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runningout added 13:55 - Jul 16 U21's were an complete embarrassment... Our squad doesn't fill me with hope yet. Ability to keep the ball, and be clinical when it matters needs adjusting
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bluelodgeblue added 14:00 - Jul 16 Still in need of a quality creative midfield though!
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Seasider added 16:59 - Jul 16 Hope finishing bottom will not jeopardise our Cat1 application,cant understand why it has taken so long to decide,hope it wont be turned down as we arn't in Prem.
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bring_back_Wickham added 18:35 - Jul 16 No s**t sherlock!
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