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Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil has dropped a couple of heavy hints about his team selection for Saturday's game at Everton.
Fresh from a 3-2 Premier League win at Crystal Palace, the Blues boss made 10 changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday night's 4-2 home defeat to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Deadline day striker signing Zian Flemming built on his smart late winner off the bench at Selhurst Park by impressing on his full debut. It doesn't look like the Dutchman is going to knock Brazilian front man Emersonn out of the team just yet though.
"We went direct to Zian quite a lot and he caused some problems against a young centre-back," said O'Neil. "I think he was 17, the boy that played there (Marli Salmon), so we knew that putting Zian on that side may cause him some problems and he did really well when we went into him. He helped us get up the pitch.
"There's still a bit to do with him on the understanding of the role. He's probably behind Emi (Emersonn) and Chuba (Akpom) in that. He's obviously not been here as long. We've had a lot of games since he's been here, so he hasn't been around loads of the training work. So it'll be good to get some of that into him.
"But I'm pleased with him. I thought he had a real good go for the hour he was out there."
Striker Emersonn is the club's new record signing
Emersonn has started Ipswich's first four Premier League games of the season. (Image: Ross Halls)
Meanwhile, Jack Clarke, who did well on his first league start of the season at Palace, had an instant impact when replacing Jaden Philogene on the left just after the hour against Arsenal. The tricky winger skipped past Martin Zubimendi within seconds to tee up Anis Mehmeti for a goal and looks to have put himself in line for another start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
"I didn't see loads of him two years ago (when Ipswich were last in the Premier League)," said O'Neil.
"I obviously know about him and I've seen bits of him. He's improving all the time and I was really pleased with him tonight.
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"I was pleased with him at Palace. I wouldn't have taken him off if he wasn't on the yellow card and the ref had already sent off one of theirs. I just thought it was a risk leaving him on.
"He's in a good moment. He looks a goal threat, he's working hard and he's got a good relationship with Leif Davis on that side. Let's try and get him ready for the weekend because he definitely improved us when he came on."