Page 20 - Josh Carson News Today

Glentoran and Dungannon Swifts survived potential banana skins to book last eight places in the Samuel Gelston's Irish Cup, alongside Crusaders, Cliftonville...

Academy midfielder Josh Carson has been named in the Northern Ireland U21 squad for their friendly with Wales at Wrexham next Wednesday.

Town striker Michael Chopra won the Footballer of the Year trophy at the inaugural Asian Football Awards at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Academy manager Sammy Morgan felt the U18s fully deserved their 2-0 FA Youth Cup victory over Arsenal at Underhill on Tuesday evening. Early goals from Ronan Murray and Connor Wickham took the youngsters through.

Town manager Paul Jewell has admitted that he has concerns that only 12 members of his squad are currently contracted for next season. The Blues boss has sought to address this to some extent this week by offering new terms to youngsters Josh Carson, Luke Hyam and Ronan Murray.

Recent signing Tyrone Mings is in what’s likely to be a strong Town U21 side in action against Charlton at their Sparrows Lane training ground this afternoon (KO 1pm). The Addicks have confirmed that the game will go ahead despite the overnight snow in some areas.

Blackpool came from two goals behind to peg the Blues back to a 2-2 draw at Portman Road. Town looked to have had the game won via a first half own goal by Angel Martinez and a Tommy Smith header after the break, but subs Elliot Grandin and Kevin Phillips claimed a point for the Seasiders.

Luke Hyam makes his first league start of the Paul Jewell era in more youthful Town side facing Blackpool at Portman Road this afternoon. Skipper Grant Leadbitter drops out with his hip injury, while Daryl Murphy is also missing from the 16, presumably with an injury, with Josh Carson starting.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell says he and his players can’t afford to go into games feeling sorry for themselves, despite sitting in 20th place in the Championship and on a run which has seen them win only two of their last 13 matches. The Blues, who are still waiting on defensive target Sean St Ledger,are in action at Birmingham tonight in a match rearranged from earlier in the season due to the Midlanders’ Europa League campaign (KO 7.45pm).

Town boss Paul Jewell says he’s heard nothing from Middlesbrough regarding striker Jason Scotland since the summer, despite tabloid claims at the weekend. However, the Blues manager has confirmed that there is a clause in the 32-year-old’s contract which would see him secure an additional year on his current wages once he has made 19 league starts this season,