IN-DEMAND City teenager Harry Ibbitson has missed out on a possible squad debut because of illness.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a prolific season for Neil Redfearn’s under-18s with 29 goals in 29 games.

Those numbers have attracted interest from several Premier League academies according to a report this week.

Graham Alexander revealed that Ibbitson had been pencilled in for a potential bench spot as City have done with fellow youngster Noah Wadsworth.

 

 

But the 6ft 2in centre forward being under the weather has put paid to that for now.

“We’ve had limited time with Harry,” said Alexander. “He’s had a couple of illnesses and is ill now, unfortunately.

“He would have trained with us yesterday and Tuesday.

“When we first came in, we had a lot of forwards in the first-team squad. So, the chance to give him exposure to us was very limited.

“That’s part of the reason why I wanted to get the numbers down to open up the pathway for these young players to come in and compete and potentially flourish.

“That’s another more positive side of having a structured squad and lesser numbers. It was impossible to bring him up before January – and Noah as well.”

Selling on top talent from the academy in structured deals to higher-ranked clubs has been a profitable avenue for City.

Asked about the interest in Ibbitson, Alexander added: “As I said in January, every player at this level has a price tag. That’s the reality of the food chain in football.

“But right now our ambition for Harry is to continue on the pathway through to the senior squad and see where that takes him.

“He’s obviously not in the senior squad but his numbers and data from this season are really good in terms of scoring goals.

“He’s trained with us 10-15 times since January and we like him.

“That’s why we’re disappointed he’s ill this week. We wanted the opportunity to potentially involve him in the squad.

“We feel he needs another challenge now if possible but let’s see what the future brings.”