Boss Mick McCarthy says he and his scouting staff have already begun the process of looking for summer signings. The Town manager says the Blues won’t be the only club with plenty of players out of contract come May.

McCarthy says the search is already under way: “We’re looking now, we’re looking at players that we can sign.

“There are going to be a lot of players out of contract, as we’ve got them out of contract and we’ve got to deal with that as well.

“But, as I said at the very start, I don’t want to start discussing contracts. We want to stay up. We want to make sure we’re in this league first, and then we can all discuss it.

“And then they’re in a better position to have discussions on contracts. The better they’re playing, the better that we do and the better for them.

“But yes, we’re looking and we’ve got scouts out every week looking at all sorts of games. But not Cammy Bell up at, where is it? Kilmarnock? I didn’t even know where he played!”

Town now have seven currently contracted players - Lee Martin, Andy Drury, Arran Lee-Barrett, Jack Ainsley, Cormac Burke, Ronan Murray, Joe Whight — whose terms are up at the end of June, in addition to the seven loanees, although one of those, David McGoldrick, is set to sign a two-year contract at the start of July.

McCarthy has praise for the attitude shown by one of the out of contract players, third-choice keeper Arran Lee-Barrett, who is yet to play a first-team game this season.

“He’s a smashing fella, he trains really, really well, as they all do,” McCarthy said. “Whether they’re playing or not they go about their jobs really well. As they should do, but that’s not always the case.

“Arran does, he turns up and whether he’s third choice or second choice, he’s always there for everybody else and supporting the other two.”

In terms of a possible extension to his stay, McCarthy remains tightlipped: “I wouldn’t talk about anybody’s future just now.”

Photo: Action Images

Blue_Again added 06:37 - Feb 19 I don't see the point in this article. We need to win tonight not be distracted by the summer. If we go down then this all means nothing anyways. Pointless speculation and news filler. how about a good article congratulating the groundsman for the great pitch this season the only consistent thing about this club this season.
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oscarwhiting added 07:39 - Feb 19 Sounds promising. McGoldrick to sign a two year deal, that's good.
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Rentaghost added 07:45 - Feb 19 Dont be grumpy. Ask Phil nicely and he might put a TV guide on here plus film reviews.
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John_Portman added 07:50 - Feb 19 Stearmen on a permanent deal would be top piece of work, as long as we don't have to pay 1.8, that being what Wolves previously wanted.
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Davin44 added 08:17 - Feb 19 Blue_again Wrong side of the bed was it?
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buryblue77 added 09:50 - Feb 19 I think we should keep ALB as third choice, he's always been more than dependable enough when called upon, it's after a run of a few games where he gets the jitters and if he's happy enough turning up to train and accepting of the fact he won't get many, if any starts then I say keep.
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MattinLondon added 09:53 - Feb 19 I'm glad that the search has began for new signings.
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bontcho added 12:53 - Feb 19 I reckon whether ALB stays is not so much to do with him but whether any of our younger keepers are ready to be third choice.
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