U’s swoop for Clarke

IPSWICH Town’s Irish U-19 striker Billy Clarke has gone on loan to League One promotion hopefuls Colchester for a month - but Town manager Joe Royle insists that the player’s future remains at Ipswich.

“Going to Colchester will be a good chance for him to get first-team experience,” says Royle. “Billy is very highly thought of here and it will be a good opportunity for him to get a run of games under his belt.”

Cork-born Clarke, who recently won an Irish Examiner Junior Sports Star award in recognition of his goal-scoring prowess at international level, has only just returned to action after dislocating his elbow. He was on the bench for Ipswich’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the weekend but is now expected to go straight into the Colchester line-up for tomorrow’s game against Scunthorpe.