Ipswich defender Tommy Smith insists that the poor standard of reserve football means that the club's youngsters have to look for loan moves.The club's second string dished out a 12-1 thrashing to an MK Dons side this week and are currently leading their Pontin's Holidays Combination league.

And Smith, 17, is hoping to secure a move to a club in either League Two or the Blue Square Premier as he seeks to gain experience.

He said: "I have seen how much Jordan Rhodes has benefited from going on loan to Oxford.

"If the manager thinks that would be the next step for me, I'd love to go on loan somewhere.

"Our reserve league is not the best and the top end of the non-league scene is probably a better standard, so if an opportunity came up to play at that level every week, I would love to take it up."

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