I can handle the rough stuff, insists Tractor boy Wickham

The Ipswich teenager Connor Wickham is relishing the chance to become the club's youngest player if he makes an appearance from the bench at home against Doncaster Rovers today.

The striker, who will enter the record books aged 16 years and 11 days if he plays, said: "If that happens, it will be fantastic. It's a physical league, but that doesn't worry me. I feel ready for it."

Jason Dozzell holds the record at present, having made his Portman Road debut in February 1984 aged 16 years and 57 days.

The Derby duo Jay McEveley and Mile Sterjovski are keen to secure their futures at Pride Park. McEveley went on loan to Preston and Charlton during the reign of former manager Paul Jewell, but has become the No 1 right-back under Nigel Clough.

The defender, who has a year left on his contract, said: "With the new manager coming in and the way things are going, I want to be part of it. But that's up to the manager and the club, so I don't really want to say much more than that."

Sterjovski was given only his fourth League start of the season in Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Cardiff and is determined to remain with the club, despite being linked with a move back to Australia.

He said: "I'm always hungry to play. It's been a while since I've played regular football, which is what I strive for."