by Lee Hurley

Ainsley Maitland-Niles got on the scoresheet again for Ipswich Town as they defeated Cambridge United 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Joining on a season-long loan at the start of the summer, Maitland-Niles wasted no time in finding the back of the net, scoring after just two minutes to open the scoring at Cambridge.

It was the midfielder’s second goal of pre-season for the Tractor Boys and manager Mick McCarthy was full of praise for the Arsenal youngster after the game.

“He’s a very good player,” McCarthy told the FA. Arsenal do have that happy knack of producing some fabulous kids and I think we’ve got one of them.”

Ainsley Maitland-Niles thanks Freddie Sears for setting up his early goal at Cambridge last night
Ainsley Maitland-Niles thanks Freddie Sears for setting up his early goal at Cambridge last night (photo East Anglican Daily Times)

Maitland-Niles will only turn 18 in August and he said at the time of his move at the beginning of July that “Arsenal want me to get a bit of experience under my belt and I’m happy to do that. I’m still young and there’s plenty of time for me to develop.

“The Championship is a tough league but one I feel ready to perform in. The lads have really made me feel welcome here, they are wonderful,” he added.

“You can tell there’s a good group here and they’ve helped me settle in really well. I’m ready to work hard in pre-season now and hopefully hit the ground running ahead of the new season.”

Ipswich Town get their league campaign underway against Brentford on 8th August.