A mature and resurgent Billy Clarke is aiming to show he has what it takes to stay in Ipswich Town's first-team.

The 19-year-old Irishman, who is hoping to line up on the left-wing for Town in their game with Wolves at Portman Road tomorrow, burst on to the scene this time last season before his form dipped and he was dropped.

But having started the season on the bench, Clarke has forced his way into Jim Magilton's starting 11 in an unfamiliar midfield role.

And Clarke told the Gazette the experience of last year's rollercoaster ride, when he scored winning goals against Coventry and Southampton before enduring a lean spell, has helped him grow up.

He said: "This time last year everything was going well for me and then I dropped off for the rest of the season.

"A drop in form happens in football and I have learned from my mistakes - I am definitely more mature now.

"I know what is happening around me and it helps as the years go on." He is content on the left-wing - a position he has played in a few times for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side.

"There is more responsibility to track back and I feel I have done well so far," he said. "I have only trained in that position for a couple of weeks so I need to learn the defensive parts of it but it won't take long."