Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that recalled loan striker Paul Taylor will be in his squad for Friday’s live Sky game against Barnsley at Portman Road. The Town manager again remained coy when asked about the speculation linking him with the Ireland job.

McCarthy, who celebrates a year in charge of the Blues tomorrow, is pleased to have 26-year-old Taylor back after his spell back with his former club Peterborough: “I agreed with him when I let him go that I would bring him back after a month. He wants to come back and play in the Championship, he wants to play here.

“He’s had plenty of games and plenty of minutes on the pitch. We’ve had him watched every game. He’s got better and better, he’s looking fitter and sharper and as we know he can be a game breaker, one that breaks it up and gets something out of nothing. He’s in the squad for tomorrow.”

The Blues boss wouldn’t be drawn on whether Taylor would start: “I can’t tell you that. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

“He’s in the squad. I need him back. We’ve been playing well, but to have the option of Paul Taylor, he can play either side or up front, he can change a game.”

McCarthy says the only player suffering with a knock is young striker Jack Marriott: “He’s rolled his ankle. He’s not in the squad because Tayls is here anyway.

“But unfortunately for him he’s rocked his ankle. But if we could get him out on loan I’d love to, it would be great for him.”

As for the Ireland situation, McCarthy stuck to the same line as last week: “I told you, it’s still in the same place, it’s west of Liverpool as far as I know. I gave you a schedule for flights last week. I could give you the same.

“They had me going there on Monday, I told you what I was [actually] doing. There’s nothing, no. You’re all bonkers [to keep asking me], by the way. You’re all bonkers, the lot of you!”

Later, he was asked whether he was surprised not to have been approached about the role, he added: “How do you know I haven’t been approached about it?”

Has he been approached about it? “I can’t tell you,” said the Blues boss, who is currently the second favourite for the job behind the now odds-on Martin O'Neill.

Speaking last night, joint-managing director Ian Milne said as far as he was aware neither Town nor McCarthy had been contacted by the FAI.

Meanwhile, former Town keeper Shane Supple was at Playford Road today having brought over a young Irish keeper to train with the academy.

Photo: Action Images

ArnieMsBigToe added 15:34 - Oct 31 Did you hear that?? You're all bonkers!! Leave poor old Mick alone!! I think Paul Taylor will turn things around tomorrow. He is one of the missing pieces to the puzzle.
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hampstead_blue added 15:56 - Oct 31 Taylor in for Anderson Tunnicliffe in for Hyam. Wordy on the left.
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Stato added 16:28 - Oct 31 I will be scratching my head if Taylor on the bench as he'll soon lose that match fitness he has just gained. I agree with Hampstead and think he should come in on the right in place of Anderson.
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Seasider added 16:28 - Oct 31 Wishful thinking I fear Hampstead Blue but hope you are right. You certainly cant criticise MM for being a 'Tinkerman'but feel he is too inflexible at times,especially when a clever coach like Steve Mclaren changes things round at half time which our Manager couldn't cope with. Opposing managers know to expect 4-4-2 and set up their team accordingly. Personally would like to see him play 3 at back with wingbacks,and drop his favorite Murphy tomorrow ;but am not holding my breath as this Yorkshireman seems proud of his inflexibility. Lets hope the ongoing saga with Eire doesnt affect our team.

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algarvefan added 16:31 - Oct 31 Get Shane Supple back, better keeper than anyone we currently have and hopefully the club and it's troubles are better now!!
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TimmyH added 16:42 - Oct 31 Not really anything to raise an eyebrow here...pretty obvious he was going to be in at least the squad, whether he starts is the important thing.
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bluemikey100 added 16:58 - Oct 31 taylor in and marriott out i suppose damn want both in the subs
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Keaneish added 17:06 - Oct 31 Seasider - not sure Mclaren was that clever, all he did was change the system back to the one they were playing under Clough! Taylor in for Murphy or Anderson and Tabb in for Hyam.
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blues1 added 17:15 - Oct 31 bluemikey. you suppose itll be taylor in, Marriott out? if youd read the story properly youd already know that's the case, as, besides anything else, Marriott is injured.
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Surco72 added 17:20 - Oct 31 Gerken Chambers , Berra ,Smith Edwards, Skuse,Hyam,Cresswell Tunnicliffe McGoldrick,Taylor Comfortable 3-0 win
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brassy added 18:06 - Oct 31 would be great to see shane back at town promising young keeper.COYB.
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Stato added 18:32 - Oct 31 Marriott out to Posh for a month ?
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billlm added 21:18 - Oct 31 surco72,edwards are u deranged lets not go backwards lets look forwards
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spanishblue added 21:33 - Oct 31 Yahoo going tomorrow night please keep supple in town at least he cared about the club
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thebeat added 23:24 - Oct 31 billlm i disagree, if we were to play 3-5-2 like surco suggests then Edwards would be the perfect wing-back. Its no coincidence our right side is our weak link without him there.
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