JIM Magilton today held up Sito Castro as an example to fringe members of his first-team squad.The 27-year-old Spaniard has come in from the cold to make a big impact at full-back in the last month.

By Elvin King

JIM Magilton today held up Sito Castro as an example to fringe members of his first-team squad.

The 27-year-old Spaniard has come in from the cold to make a big impact at full-back in the last month.

He was a certainty to keep his place in the Blues side for today's FA Cup third round tie against Premier League Portsmouth at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm) after spending the first half of the season out of favour and in the reserves.

“Sito has been excellent,” said Magilton.

“He probably felt his day was over, and he was in a horrible situation. We have all been there as players.

“The coaching staff has played a terrific part in keeping the lad going.

“Sito has shown what can be done, and we will see if any other players show the same character and desire.”

Magilton, who took in the Hearts versus Dundee United game in the Scottish Premier League on Wednesday but was not looking at Dundee 31-year-old goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski, will be watching his fringe players in action on Monday.

Ipswich have a Pontin's Holidays Combination home match against Northampton at their Playford Road training ground on Monday (kick-off 2.pm) and with Magilton set to strengthen his squad this month one or two players could be in need of a good game.

Chris Casement, who came in for a one-off game against Coventry last Saturday, is one player who would like more competitive matches.

The 19-year-old defender said: “It is not the fault of the club, but the Combination does not offer us enough games.

“You can be training for a number of weeks without having a match to play.

“Thankfully I have played games for the Northern Ireland Under-21 side, and this has helped.

“If the manager wanted me to go out on loan that would be OK with me. The more I play at this age the better it has to be.”