Source: FOOTYMAD
Ipswich boss plays down Wickham hype
The Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has suggested there is too much hype around striker Connor Wickham, who was given his first call-up to the England U19 side on Monday. Wickham, 17, made his first start of the season against Cardiff City on Saturday after injury. He first came to attention last season, and was linked with a move to the Premier League side Arsenal in the summer. With England's struggles in the World Cup bringing more focus on young Three Lions hopefuls, Wickham's name has been put forward as someone who could be representing his country at senior level by the time of the next World Cup finals in 2014. Keane, however, felt the teenager needs to be allowed to focus on playing rather than deal with constant suggestions he should leave Portman Road for a top flight club. "There's too much now, give the boy a chance," he told BBC Radio Suffolk. "He's returned from injury, if we think we're going to have a good season down to one player you're sadly mistaken. "We're pleased to have good young players coming through like Tom Easton, Reggie Lambe and one or two others, it always helps a manager when you have some good young players. You've got to relax on these people and give them a chance to mature and learn their trade."
