Boss Mick McCarthy says he could look at strengthening his defensive options during the January transfer window.

Over the last week young right-backs Elliott Hewitt and Frederic Veseli have respectively joined Gillingham and Bury on loan to gain experience, leaving the Blues short on defensive cover.

McCarthy told the club site: “I’m absolutely delighted with the squad of players we have got here and we have Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Hunty in there now as well.

“With the window open, it’s possible that we could have one or two changes. Players going out on loan might open things up to bring someone in.

“We have only used the five lads at the back, Cressy, Tyrone, Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra and Chambo and they have done remarkably well. That is perhaps an area where we could look to strengthen squad-wise.”

Former loanee Richard Stearman may be amongst those who come into McCarthy’s thoughts as he looks to add to his options, Town having been priced out of a move in the summer.

The 26-year-old, who is out of contract in June, has been offered new terms by Wolves and has been a regular in their side this season, but Town could renew their interest should no agreement be reached with his current club.

Photo: Action Images

ian_marshall added 16:34 - Jan 6 Stears?
3

backwiththeboysagain added 16:36 - Jan 6 Stearman please.
3

campowasgod added 16:43 - Jan 6 Bramble has been training with the club since September . Cheap back up.
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RetroBlue added 16:46 - Jan 6 Crafty old sod is our Mick. He's already got his target players lined up. Would b surprised to see Stearman back here. But I do hope he's got a creative midfielder in his sights.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 16:48 - Jan 6 Bramble? I would rather have Loach in defence. I think a midfield player is needed over a defender MM.
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PhilTWTD added 16:49 - Jan 6 Re Bramble, I asked Mick about him last week and he said he'd not been around for weeks and didn't know what his plans were.
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:51 - Jan 6 If like people keep suggesting Stearman is on the radar, what would happen if he arrived, who would he drop, Chambers who is the deputy Captain or Berra? I can see this causing unrest with the unfortunate player left out. Personally I would like to see Stearman return to right back. I think the priority should be a quality midfield player, who could dictate our midfield, with an eye for a pass. Ship out Nouble, Tabb, Wordsworth, it also seems Carlos could be on his way out. Surely the players we could entice into the club should be of better quality than the players I have just mentioned and keener to impress the manager and supporters when they get a chance on the pitch.

18

Lennyboy added 16:51 - Jan 6 I've said before we need a natural r/back and we still do despite Chambo covering. I would rather have Chambers and Smith as central defence because we had more clean sheets with those two in the centre. Stearman would be a good choice, as this is certainly the area of defence where we are at our weakest.
5

blueherts added 16:56 - Jan 6 We do need a midfielder with an eye for goal or creative Franck Moussa ? at Coventry or punt on Sako at Wolves ? Swap Nouble for Leon Clarke ! at Cov
8

Cloddyseedbed added 16:56 - Jan 6 I agree RetroBlue, hell have his targets identified and initial investigations will have been done. I like Micks approach, we'll hear when it's been done. He won't shout his mouth off and show his hand like the last 2 idiots!
6

ericclacton added 16:56 - Jan 6 Run like the wind!
0

keanokeano added 16:56 - Jan 6 Get rid of Wordsworth he is just not good enough and too lazy, We need a proper right back who can get forward and a creative midfielder.
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:57 - Jan 6 * he'll
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ChrisMakin2012 added 16:59 - Jan 6 Wordsworth, Tabb, Nouble and Anderson can all be sold and our team wouldn't suffer.
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Blu added 17:01 - Jan 6 Stearman is a centreback, not a natural right back and offers little going forward (Bradley Orr was better in that respect). If we have to have yet another defender rather than a midfielder, lets go for a specialist right back, please.
7

Lennyboy added 17:12 - Jan 6 I take it was you Blu that gave me a minus, rather than doing that; why don't you just say you disagree with me. If it wasn't you I apologise, but there are some idiots on here, anyone with half a brain knows that Stearman played well as a R/B for us; better than Chambers. I'm a big Chambers fan and would always want him playing, but Stearman is more natural in that position than he is.; that's what I'm trying to say. COYB!!

4

StuartBrett8 added 17:22 - Jan 6 If we need two players for every position we need two right backs, a centre half, an attack minded central midfielder and at least one more winger :)
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MickMillsTash added 17:27 - Jan 6 Chambers has improved a lot at right back- you have to say that what has been in front of him this season has not been that impressive- Anderson, Noubile etc. I would agree that this position can be improved and ideally someone with attacking instincts as Wilnis would be good to have (especially now games vs Plymouth are not likely) Trust McCarthy to make a good decision here and bring in the right man but would underline that Edwards does have experience at right back should any injuries occur. He would be better a right back under McCarthy than under Jewell/ Keane

3

ericclacton added 17:28 - Jan 6 What about the man with defence splitting balls?
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cromwellblue added 17:31 - Jan 6 Blu makes the correct point. Stearman is a centreback not a right back so where is he different to Chambers? Personally I think Chambers is doing fine in that position and see no point spending money we do not have on a position we have covered. As I have repeatedly said, Hewitt has given no indication when playing that he cannot do the job. We should use him ahead of spending money. What we need is a complete new midfield. Skuse or Hyam can act as the holding/disruptive midfielder. All other positions are open. I have hopes Hunt maybe a positive influence but we lack pace, movement & creativity across the middle. Until this changes and serious thoughts of promotion are pie in the sky

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Cloddyseedbed added 17:33 - Jan 6 ericclacton - ouch, he'd have a job to run!
0

DurhamTownFan added 17:37 - Jan 6 Seriously, another defender? MM is addicted! I suppose it can never be a bad thing to add new players (assuming they are even a shade better than the ones we already have). Really, our defence has been the best bit about the team this season so far. I sometimes think MM is totally blind to playing football in the opposition half unless its from a set-piece!
11

Lennyboy added 17:43 - Jan 6 Cromwellblue, I agree with you to a certain degree but feel Hewitt is not quite ready for Championship football, His best game was last season when he came on against Millwall, and although a talent for the future he's just not ready. Leaving Chambers there just fulfils the role but is not a push on towards promotion. An attacking R/B would be good right now, and we need to do this to match our attacking L/B; therefore getting a balanced team. But who? I agree we could do with a total look at our midfield and a play making midfield really is a must. So to conclude, these are the two areas we need to spend money on.

3

ipswichtillidie added 17:43 - Jan 6 Stearman would be the obvious choice as a right back, he was exceptional whilst on loan and gave us a more attracting feel from the right. Hopefully there is some misdirection with what Mick is saying thou as its the midfield area we are weakest I feel.
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carloss added 17:44 - Jan 6 Phil are you sure MM is not telling you porkies, I see Bramble had a table booked in the SBR Suite of the SAR stand at the Charlton game. Tut Tut Micky Mac
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