TEENAGE City striker Harry Ibbitson has come out of his shell after his loan at Kidderminster Harriers.

That’s Graham Alexander’s belief after the 18-year-old returned to the squad following six weeks away.

Ibbitson travelled with the team to Fleetwood last Saturday and the City boss can sense a difference from the player compared with how he performed in preseason.

“It was a worthwhile loan for him,” said Alexander. “He started well and then found himself out the team and came back to us.

“I know the manager there and spoke to him. He sent a message about how he’d done and we relayed that to Harry and discussed it.

“I like Ibbo. Physically, he’s in good shape and he scored a lot of goals for the youth team last year.

“He’s come out of his shell a little bit more than he was in preseason. He was quite reserved and hiding away a little bit in training but we knew it was a period he had to come through.

“Instead of maybe taking him out and putting him back in the youth team, we kept him with us all the time. He’s not trained with them at all.

“He’s come out of it now and he’s really assertive and producing what we believe he can in the future.

“He’s not holding back and that’s good to see from all young players. They come into it and just want to show what they can do.

“It’s up to Ibbo, as with all players, how much exposure he gets on the pitch by his performances.”

Ibbitson scored 29 goals for City’s under-18s last season and was rewarded with a one-year pro contract in the summer.

He made four appearances in the National League North for Phil Brown’s Kidderminster, including one start. He played 106 minutes in total.

Alexander added: “Playing first-team football is the best learning curve and the quickest.

“You have to go to another team where you’re not known, you have to prove yourself and compete.

“It’s a valuable experience for a player if they take on the challenge and think about what they could have done better or what went well when they come back.

“I think Ibbo’s done that. We had a little chat in the office and he was quite clear what he thought he could have done better.

“He’s an intelligent young lad and it’s up to him if he wants it. But he’s a pleasure to work with.”