Rising star Wickham to be handled properly

Man-of-the-moment Connor Wickham will be - handled properly - by Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane.

The Colchester-based striker underlined his growing potential with two brilliant goals in Tuesday's Carling Cup first-round success at Shrewsbury.

The sides were locked at 3-3 after extra-time but Town won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 4-2.

Wickham kept his nerve to convert one of the spot-kicks and, speaking after the 16-year-old's heroics, boss Keane said: 'It's up to the lad how far he goes in the game.'

'We could be selfish and play him week-in, week-out, but at his age it would not good for him or for Ipswich Town.'

'We will handle him properly. Connor has a good attitude and he shone against two outstanding central defenders on Tuesday.'

Wickham, a former Philip Morant schoolboy, has been selected by England's under-17s for an upcoming FA tournament.

He could play in games against Italy at Burton on August 26, Turkey at Northampton two days later and Portugal at Notts County on August 30.

Wickham already has four under-17 caps and Ipswich are happy to give permission for him to take his place with the England party.

The only drawback is that he will miss the Coca-Cola Championship date against Preston on August 29.

Wickham's brace and a strike from Alan Quinn accounted for Town's goals in the 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury. Jon Walters, Wickham, Ed Upson and Quinn then scored in the penalty shoot-out.

Keane fielded a young and experimental side with five teenagers in the starting line-up and he did not restrict his praise to just Wickham.

He said: 'All the kids did well. Ed Upson looked good when he came on and was probably a little peeved at not starting.'

'Shane O'Connor also did well after the interval but it was not just the young players we used.'

Matt Plumber (The Gazette)