Blues boss Mick McCarthy hasn’t ruled out moves for former loanees Stephen Henderson and Richard Stearman this summer. As previously reported, Town have spoken to West Ham about Henderson returning to Portman Road on a season-long loan.

McCarthy said: “They’re both under contract at their clubs, which kind of makes life difficult because we’ve signed Bosmans [up to now this summer].

“We’ll wait and see and we’ll just keep looking and whether it’s those two or somebody else, we’ll find out.”

Henderson has another two years left on his contract at Upton Park, while Stearman has another season remaining on his Wolves deal.

The Blues boss was delighted with the pair during their spells at the club last season and says they play in positions where he is looking to make additions: “Hendo was really good for us and I need another goalkeeper.

“Richard Stearman was excellent for us and I think he’s fantastic, and I’m looking for another defender because I’ve got Elliott Hewitt, Chambo and Tommy Smith, Cressy and Tyrone Mings, so we’ve only got five of them.

“Cole Skuse can play at right-back but he’s a midfield player. It’s nice to have versatility but you want players that play in a certain position.”

McCarthy isn’t surprised that there have been plenty of names mentioned in connection with the Blues in the press this summer: “I’m sure I’ve been linked to everybody and that’s bound to be the case because I’ve not spoken to anybody and they’ve got to write something. They might as well speculate!"

One of those linked, the Town boss’s one-time Wolves captain Karl Henry, is amongst four players to have been put on the transfer list at Molineux, along with Stephen Ward, Jamie O’Hara and Roger Johnson.

McCarthy is understood to be a big admirer of Henry, who is contracted to Wolves until the summer of 2016 on wages likely to be beyond the Blues’ current budget.

Elsewhere, former Town academy striker Charlie Sheringham, 25, has joined AFC Wimbledon having been released by Bournemouth.

Photo: Action Images

Keaneish added 19:04 - Jun 24 H32 - why is Loach a better Keeper than Henderson? I'd love loach to be a constant number one being a town fan but it ain't going to happen. He's just not as good as Henderson. Why you and Lilcornishblue think loach is more commanding of his box and crosses is beyond me. He simply isn't. Not sure what the jibe about 'accepting anything' means if we're due to get a goalkeeper back who was partly responsible for the number of clean sheets we kept which ultimately kept us up! I'd accept that any day. Keeping the same back 4/5 together is important.

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ArnieM added 19:29 - Jun 24 Loach, I sadly fear will never be our regular #1 GK. He does not command the 6 yrd area, rarely catches the ball when under even slight pressure and whilst he is an excellent shot stopper, its the bread and butter stuff like killing the game by gathering the ball instead of punching), and organizing the back four in front of him. Henderson when he first came here was tbh not much better - but he improved and I would say if he did return , would be ahead of Loach, who often appears to lack confidence in himself and is easily knocked back. Perhaps this is why he wasnt able to establish himself as a # 1 at Watford? All said and done I will be shouting for Loachy if he's in the #1 jersey , or whoeevr does get to wear it . I I get the feeling MM will secure 2 decent GK's before the season starts. COYB's

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Vic added 19:35 - Jun 24 Lilcornishblue - I'm just glad that you're not the itfc manager. You'll forgive me if I take MM's judgement of players over yours won't you.
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TimmyH added 19:39 - Jun 24 Stearman on a permanent is a BIG yes in my books, Henderson wouldn't be a bad shout either but would like us to 'splash out' on a play-maker if we can get Stearman before we thought about Henderson and then we're almost there!
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warktheline added 20:15 - Jun 24 keaneish,h32 told me that, I always have my head buried in the sand every time a sniff of negativity comes our way.MM and ME were at breaking point the last I heard before I disappeared under the sand ! Some so called supporters enjoy looking for problems that don't exist.
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mannos6 added 21:11 - Jun 24 From previous posts it sounds like we're going after the wrong keeper! Gianulca Buffon Ipswich towns new number 1!! I think it's a bit unfair to compare Hendo to Buffon bit like comparing lee Martin to Ronaldo.
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theobald1985 added 21:47 - Jun 24 blues 1 i really dont think there is any difference between loach and hendo or indeed forde they are much of a muchness so we may as well stick with our player who wants to be here. the reason hendo had a shaky start was confidence problems as soon as he made a couple of good saves etc he was bigger and louder. loach has had a few shaky moments but he too grew into the role as the confidence grew after conceding very few goals. coming out to claim corners is directly linked to the confidence of the keeper in the current state. we shoul tell loach hes gonna be number 1 and get behind him. I feel at the moment certain fans will get on his back as soon as he makes a mistake. loach is too good a keeper to play second fiddle to a loan player who we appear to have no realistic chance of signing permanantly

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h32 added 22:23 - Jun 24 Keanish - personally I do not feel there is much between Loach / Henderson in terms of ability - my objection to Henderson is if he comes here it will, YET AGAIN, be on loan. He has no intention of ever signing permanently for this Club, even if given another chance - so should we care about him anymore than he cares about us ? - and that means not given him another chance here in my book. Let's get a Keeper (signed contract) in, and we all know where we stand - otherwise Loach will be in/out/in /out as has happened previously with a pathetic 24 hr recall clause. Is this what we want ? - of course not.

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h32 added 22:27 - Jun 24 warktheline - seems you still haven't surfaced. Be quick the season is soon starting !! - lol.
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Warkys_Tash added 22:54 - Jun 24 MM please sign Stearman - he is a must, great signing last year, quality player & key part of a successful back 4. Last season was the first time we had two good full backs for about 8 years. As for the Loach vs Hendo row, unfortunately I think due to our budget or rather lack of it, they are about the best we can hope for. However, neither is top draw or fills me with confidence. Loach not commanding enough & Hendo's kicking is poor more often than not - poor distribution.

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KellyBBlue added 23:14 - Jun 24 Go for it lilcornishblue. After 10,000 miles and 17 games last season from Cornwall, I'll not bother this season if I have to put up with my goalie telling his fans to F**k Off just because he gets booed for time wasting!
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blues1 added 09:13 - Jun 25 Theobald. to an extent I agree with you that theres not that much difference between them. however, with loach, it isn't a case of confidence leading to him coming off his line to command his area. he simply doesn't come off his line. its the sort of keeper he is(a line keeper). unfortunately that's not what we need as despite being very good defensively in latter part of season, our defenders aren't so good that they not need help dealing with crosses from the keeper.

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lojd added 11:59 - Jun 25 I personally think that Henderson and Loach aren't that far off each other, but if we can get Henderson on loan it would be a good move because it gives healthy competition and will keep each other on their toes. Stearman should be our number one target but I think it's only if either Chorpa or JET are sold.
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theobald1985 added 12:00 - Jun 25 blues1 only time will tell i suppose but if he is made undisputed number 1 by mick and we all get behind him even when he makes the odd mistake we will see him come off his line an awful lot more. the keeper has to make a judgment on when to come and when to stay but I think the confidence helps the keeper to trust his own judgement and not hesitate. I also think it helps if you have the same keeper year after year and given loaches age his status as a fan of the club etc i think he would be a good keeper to stick with as he is not at his peak yet and can and i believe will improve.

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JWM added 13:57 - Jun 25 I've read somewhere on a reputable news site that Doncaster are in serious talks with Shay Given! Feck me if this is true why aren't we busting a gut to sign him!
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