Upson wants to repay Keane's faith (From Gazette)

Upson wants to repay Keane's faith

10:31am Monday 22nd June 2009 in

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Ed Upson is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane.

The Blues midfielder has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract at Portman Road.

Now, having committed his future, the rising star is targeting a first-team spot, having failed to make a senior appearance after graduating through the club’s academy.

The 19-year-old said: “It was a difficult season for me last year and I thought I might have to move on.

“But the new manager has come in and it’s given me a massive boost that he’s given me a new contract.

“I’d like to think I stayed strong last season when things weren’t going my way.

“I kept my head up and played my football and it was an education for me.

“Now I have to take the opportunity the manager has given me and show him and my team-mates what I can do.

“I need to really push on from pre-season and try and force my way into the first-team here.”

Upson scored the winner for Town in their 2005 FA Youth Cup final success against Southampton, then aged 15.

Having failed to get near the first team last season under previous boss Jim Magilton, he spent two months on loan at Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough.