Boss Mick McCarthy believes Aaron Cresswell deserves to play in the Premier League and admits that it will be a “real balancing act” to do the best thing for both his first-choice left-back and deputy Tyrone Mings this summer.

Mings, 21, has had few first-team opportunities since joining the club from non-league Chippenham Town in December 2012 with Cresswell’s fitness and consistency restricting him to seven starts and 12 sub appearances, having made his debut at Burnley on the final day of last season.

McCarthy says Mings, who signed a new contract until 2015 earlier in the campaign, has been unfortunate not to be involved more regularly, but is pleased Cresswell has been available to keep him out of the team.

“Had Frazer Richardson not been here - and for a long time we only had Ty as cover - he would have played at right-back [against Bournemouth],” he said.

“I’m disappointed for him, but it means that we’ve had Cressy, our best left-back, fit all season, which is why he hasn’t played. But for Ty I’m disappointed.”

The Town boss says the pair’s future is something to think about come the close season.

“We’ll see what happens in the summer with Cressy and if anything does. Because all the talk’s starting again, the speculation,” he added.

“And he deserves to play in the Premier League, Cressy. Bizarrely enough, if he doesn’t, then we could ruin two left-backs because if he stays in this league for another season he might start to think that it’s an opportunity missed.

“And if he stays in the league for another season, then Tyrone Mings won’t play and that’s going to be counterproductive for him. So there’s a real balancing act for the summer.”

Scouts from Newcastle United, Southampton and West Brom were at the recent 2-2 home draw with AFC Bournemouth again running the rule over Cresswell.

The trio are amongst several Premier League clubs to have watched the 24-year-old in action on numerous occasions this season with the Magpies and Saints both subsequently reported to be ready to firm up their interest with summer bids said to be in the region of £4 million.

Fulham have also been regular visitors to Portman Road, while Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Cardiff, West Ham, Hull City and Everton have all been linked at one time or another. Aston Villa made an enquiry in the summer of 2012.

Cresswell, who McCarthy has repeatedly said he regards as the best left-back in the Championship, signed a new contract until the summer of 2017 in December having been linked with a move to the top flight during the last four transfer windows.

If the Liverpudlian were to move on this time around his former club Tranmere Rovers would be entitled to 20 per cent of the profit the Blues would make on the £420,000 they paid for him after his switch to Portman Road in the summer of 2011.

A Football League tribunal set a compensation figure of an initial £240,000 plus milestone clauses, with only a £100,000 payment on promotion to the Premier League not triggered.

With Town adhering strictly to the Financial Fair Play rules, McCarthy is unlikely to have much of a transfer war chest at his disposal this summer unless a current player is sold for a significant fee.

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 12:38 - May 1 The more I read about Cresswell the more I think he won't be here next season. He is certainly our most sellable asset. If he goes, it will be with best wishes, but will be bitterly disappointed if Evans didn't free up transfer fee for new recruits and not just freebies!
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Bluetone added 12:57 - May 1 Quote “And he deserves to play in the Premier League, Cressy." So whats wrong with helping Town to get into the Premier League and playing for our team there. Come on McCarthy where is your ambition or do you doubt you can get us there? Play Cresswell further forward with Mings at left back.
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Tractamatt added 13:26 - May 1 The money should be used to buy Williams, Rumors here in S.E London is that a deal is already being discussed but wouldn't swear that as gospel maybe a swap deal involving Mings and we keep Cresswell. We won't know until it happens but that's what makes this time of year so exciting.LOL COYB
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Fatboy added 13:37 - May 1 If Cresswell does leave, how about spending some of the transfer fee on Luke Freeman? He's just cleaned up on the player of the year awards at Stevenage and will probably be leaving due to their relegation from League 1. He could go some way to replacing Cresswell's assists from the left wing leaving Mings in a more defensive role.
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blueherts added 13:43 - May 1 Jonny Williams for Cressie ! wow , where do we sign Would defo have some of that Fatboy - Not a bad shout - seen abit of him and he is a talent - Be keen to hear more about Henshall though ? What happening with him ?
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mkbobby added 14:11 - May 1 i know people keep banging on about how good cresswell is but lets be realistic here unless he,s scoring 10-15 goals next season having him in the team will not get us promoted, but 4-5 million transfer feee and maybe having half of that to use will be of better use for mick to utilise , i agree with blueherts on the callum wilson pointer and i don,t see palace using jonny williams that much next season maybe we can get him back or someone of that ilk

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paulcooperisgod added 14:42 - May 1 Just read George elokobi released from wolves. A left back isnt he?
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mbisgrove added 15:29 - May 1 Fatboy - Completely agree involving Freeman - he's exactly the type of player we need that emulates what Williams has done for us in the latter stages of this season. He's also a bit of a free kick specialist too which is a boost, as stevenage are in league 2 now and are facing the financial parts of relegation, maybe we can get a cheap deal, though as the interest maybe high in him, might have to pay up anyway. Robert Koren could be another one to look at as he is awaiting another deal at Hull, though he's old he's been there and done it in this division and is a strong box to box whole hearted player. Tractamatt - No way on earth Williams will come back permanently, especially with bigger clubs like l'pool looking at him. We couldn't afford him anyway, he signed a new 5 year deal at the back end of last year if I'm not mistaken? Palace wouldn't let him go on the cheap.

0

Langdon_Blue added 15:35 - May 1 In short "left back for sale"
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Popeye added 16:05 - May 1 This season i personally would have tried Mings at left back with Cressy on left wing as i think Cressy would be more effective there. Mings is taller than Cressy so much better at defending set pieces etc. Think MM did play them both for part of one game this season but this is one area where MM needs to improve and thats experimenting with players in different positions. He didn't have a problem putting a centre half to left back but seems reluctant to do it elsewhere. I think it was Joe Royle who converted Naylor from centre forward to centre half maybe MM should take a leaf out of his book! Hewitt played right midfield on loan at Gillingham this season and did well. If MM doesn't trust him to play right back then maybe he should consider him for a right midfield role next season instead. Just a thought!

4

Londonblue52 added 16:40 - May 1 Whoever we sell please do a "buy one get one free" deal Mick and give Nouble away at the same time
0

Michael11 added 17:12 - May 1 He's been poor since Christmas to be honest. Almost like he knows he's not going to be here next season regardless of how he plays. I'd cash in on him and give Mings a go while spending the money on creative attacking players.
0

smithy91 added 17:24 - May 1 Its about time the club dug its heels in to keep one of our star players. We wont get out of the division if we keep selling our best players, albeit we did so with Dyer but Cresswell has been our top assister this season so without that we would be far from playoffs
4

Tractamatt added 18:05 - May 1 Mbisgrove:- I agree with you I was just mentioning rumours I've been hearing being local to Palace. What I would say is that Williams seems to have his head screwed on tight enough to know where he'll get played regularly as opposed to sitting on a bench maybe. Also A player plus cash deal is possible but in the end I feel Palace will want to keep a hold on their prize asset this window.

1

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:31 - May 1 For all we know Cressie wants to go? Perhaps his agent had a word? Maybe Micks trying to drum up multiple bids and encourage a bidding war, who knows really? It looks like Southampton are preparing to lose Shaw and Cressie is probably the best value replacement. Over the years we've done ok selling assets, Rhodes aside. I'd trust Mick with the funds. I'd kill to get Williams back, midfield really looks the priority. If we got 4 mill fir Cressie plus add ons and even half what we paid for Taylor that looks like good business to me. Still fancy Darren Bent back personally but we could never afford him

1

CharlieITFC added 19:20 - May 1 Everyone keeps saying we should sell and invest money in players who will get us promoted, but surely the type of players we'd be looking for in that case are gems who would potentially become the best in the league in their position...so basically Cresswell. I think if we are serious about a push next season we need to keep our prize assets. Cressy has said all along he wants to play in the premier league, with us. If by January we don't look like challenging, then let him move on.

4

RegencyBlue added 19:21 - May 1 MM has obviously been told Cressy will be sold so he is making the right noises! Lets be honest MM would not want to sell if it was up to him.
2

floridaboy added 19:24 - May 1 Sorry but Walcottl and Suarez - to name two - will tear Cresswell apart. He is a decent championship defender but that is all. Sorry to all that dribble when his name is mentioned but I do not think he is that good, not for the premiership anyway Mings with a decent run in the side offers much more. Still time will tell!
1

blue_moon09 added 20:06 - May 1 If he goes it will be for big money as he has just singed a new contract, but his not premiership quality, you lot on here would know that if you attended games.....
0

TimmyH added 20:21 - May 1 without doubt your the best supporter on here @blue_moon, you attend soo many games and go to away ones too...'us lot on here' are over whelmed with your knowledge.
2

blue979 added 20:35 - May 1 this season isnt completley over yet and the up for sale / bids in talk has started. cresswell is a quality player and highly rated and for once its not all talk,the lad has put a shift in with his career with town to date.if he was sold in the summer i cant see cresswell going for less than £5.5 m aleast, or a top club comes in gives us a player plus £3m plus add ons such as england call up etc.tyrone mings however has a great future and can really progress at town, the lads showing his potenial already. come whatever cresswell and mings are quality players and during the summer we need new defenders,and attackers who are hungry to score.

1

barrysandals added 21:02 - May 1 I totally agree that a balance of mings at left back and Cresswell at left midfield would be amazing next season. We need a right back and without question two creative midfielders. Up front we look in good order for next season. I think Taylor, hunt and tabb will leave.
1

thelankyblue added 21:06 - May 1 Why Mings is frustrated is just beyond me; he's from non league for crying out loud. Sounds like hes getting too big for his boots...
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Beattiesballbag added 21:27 - May 1 If he didn't want to sell him he would keep quiet on the subject, so desperate to sell him that he tries putting him in the shop window by bringing up the subject..............it's embarrassing . It's all about the money money. Maybe it would help to get some offers for him if Mick put him on Ebay.
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blueboy1981 added 22:02 - May 1 MM - you are not a Premiership Manager. If / when Cresswell is considered good enough to play at that level, I am sure a Premiership Manager will be very capable of making that judgement for himself. In the meantime stop the hype in your efforts to try and get a sale - so obvious to see what you predictable tactics are - as indeed applies in this case. Let the lad play his Footbal and improve - which in my opinion he still needs to do BEFORE a Premiership Manager will take a punt on him.

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