Blues youngster Conor McKendry is on trial with Wigan Athletic, team-mate Pat Webber also having spent time with the Latics recently.

The pair played for the Lancastrians’ U23s in a 3-1 victory over Morecambe earlier this month with Webber, who was on loan at Braintree earlier this season, having subsequently returned to Portman Road in time to come on as a sub in yesterday's U23s victory over Millwall.

We understand Northern Irish winger McKendry remains with Wigan. The 20-year-old, who was on loan at Lowestoft earlier this season, joined the Blues’ academy at 16 and featured for the first team during pre-seasons under Mick McCarthy but without making a competitive senior appearance, although he was on the bench for last season’s Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace.

Central defender or left-back Webber, 19, signed for the Town academy from Worthing in 2016 after a trial. His only senior appearance came in that Carabao Cup tie against the Eagles.

Both players are out of contract at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option for a further year.

Photo: Larry McQuillan/Drogheda United

midastouch added 17:31 - Jan 29 Always liked the look of McKendry when I've seen him play, this might be another one to come back and bite us on the bum! And what's going on with Wigan, not only poaching our potential transfer deals but now our U23s it seems! So did we release McKendry or something? If so that one slipped under the radar for me. In truth I'm not sure how the rules work exactly with younger players and how easily the club can or cannot tie them down at that age.

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Mingochutney added 17:36 - Jan 29 I'd guess it's likely that we will be releasing them in the summer and we are letting them have trials elsewhere to give them a head start trying to find new clubs
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MaySixth added 17:41 - Jan 29 Odd
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brian_a_mul added 20:37 - Jan 29 It sounds like they wont get much opportunity here with Kenlock and Emannual currently in the squad as back up full backs. It also sounds like we have a good crop coming up behind them. Better to let them play games elsewhere if their opportunitiez here are limited. I wish them both the best of luck
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SuffolkBlue11 added 23:11 - Jan 29 Not sure about this but I feel like Lambert will make the right decision in regards to whether they're good enough or not. Webber I can't see getting game time with the talented defenders we have but McKendry could perhaps do a job, although without seeing him in the first team I couldn't judge
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BrettenhamBlue added 04:18 - Jan 30 I haven't seen much of the first team recently but have seen a fair amount of the U23 squad. McKendry is one of the key reasons why that team is doing so well. He's not the most physical player, but he's tenacious, brave and never gives up. He comes out of 50/50 challenges against players twice his size with the ball. Add to that he's a great passer of the ball. Mistake by the club to let him go in my view. However, for all we know McKendry might want to leave. Dozzell and Bishop are clearly in front of him in the pecking order and Huws and Adeyemi are about to return. He's seen a bit of first team action in his few games for Lowestoft (who wanted him to stay) and probably wants the feeling of real competition.Good signing by Wigan and we will probably see a lot more of him in the championship next year. Webber? Not seen much of him recently to be fair so can't really comment. What I have seen of him in the past makes me think he's not ready for championship football. I'd guess he signs and then ends up getting loaned out to a League 1/2 side.

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BrettenhamBlue added 04:34 - Jan 30 To add to comments above; McKendry isn't a full-back. He's more like a midfield/winger; plays in an attacking role. Very much a battler and tackler with good work rate, resilience and first touch. Is a bit eccentric sometimes (likes to beat his man the traditional way but has also been known to nutmeg and shimmy). Really good crosser of the ball also but there is more space in an U23 fixture. If MM had stayed (I'm glad he didn't) we would have seen a fair amount of McKendry already this season.

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Ipswichbusiness added 08:11 - Jan 30 Our top management knows that we will be relegated this season, so any opportunity to reduce the wage bill will be seized. Expect more of this.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 09:05 - Jan 30 Cost cutting as above. Prep for L1
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blueboy1981 added 20:39 - Jan 30 ....... not good enough for us - but possibly good enough for Wigan ...... !!!
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