Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has told Nathan Ellington that he needs to earn his chance at the club after the striker was left out of the club's first pre-season friendly.
The striker did not play in Ipswich's 1-1 draw with Helmond Sport and Jewell has challenged the 31-year-old to earn a place in his squad.
Jewell told BBC Suffolk: "Nathan hasn't done well enough over a course of a season to be top of the pecking order as far as the forwards are concerned.
"He needs to earn his chance in the first team."
Ellington started just one match for Ipswich last season, after he joined the club on a free transfer from Preston North End.