Boss Mick McCarthy says transfer-listed striker Paul Taylor has returned to the club “flying” and like the rest of the squad will start the season with a clean slate.

McCarthy made the 26-year-old available for transfer in May after a campaign in which he had been a bit-part player making five starts and 16 sub appearances, scoring once, having recovered from his long-term ankle injury and spent time on loan with former club Peterborough.

However, the Blues manager says that there has been no interest in the Liverpudlian and that he has returned from the summer break raring to go.

“No, he’s come back, he’s come back flying. He was the sixth fittest in the tests. It looks like he means it, so I’m delighted,” McCarthy said.

“As I’ve told them, they all start with a clean sheet, we wipe the slate clean from last season, which always seems a bit unfair to those who played 40 or 46 games.

“But that’s the case, the ones who are the best, the fittest, the strongest and playing best in pre-season will start on August 9th.

“It’s an opportunity for some that didn’t get the chance last season and perhaps had a little whinge and a moan and thought they should have been in. Prove it to me now, starting this week and we’ll see come August 9th.”

McCarthy is pleased to be back at Playford Road ahead of his second full campaign as Town boss: “It’s always exciting coming back. I’ve enjoyed my holiday, we’ve all enjoyed our break, the lads are looking forward to it.

“I think they’re ready to get back. They all train throughout the close season and they came back in great shape on Friday.

“I remember being a player, you just want to get back and start training and playing again. It’s exciting stuff. Everybody starts with a clean sheet, it’s back to basics and crack on.”

Speaking in March winger Paul Anderson said he felt he never reached his best form during 2013/14 having missed a large part of last summer’s pre-season, although McCarthy says he was happy enough with the 25-year-old’s form.

“I hope Ando with a pre-season improves because I thought he had a good season last season,” he said. “He made that point to me as well and if you do miss pre-season that’s a big part of it.

“It’s like it’s in the bank that work, it’s done. That’s your back-up in case you get left out, you get suspended, you get injured, you’ve got your groundwork for the season done. And for some of them it’s more important.

“I know all about Chambo, Cressy, Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra, Gerken, Hyam, Skuse, Murphy, McGoldrick, Tabby, all those that played. They’ve got the brownie points, they’re OK. But some of them need to work harder in pre-season and that’s always the case.

“The ones I’ve just mentioned, I know they’ll be bang at it all pre-season. That’s what they’re like, they’re good pros, they’ve been there, seen it, done it, some of the younger ones have got to get up to that standard.”

The Town boss also had praise for fitness coach Andy Liddell, the man in charge the Blues' pre-season preparations: “Lids is terrific. He’s crucial to the set-up, they all are.

“I don’t go shouting it from the rooftops but we don’t have the biggest squad, we don’t have the biggest staff but what we’ve got is quality in there, on the playing side and on the staff side — physios, masseurs, whoever we have dealing with them, coaching staff.

“Andy Liddell’s different class, he’s great with them. And he’s my sort of bloke he says it like it is, a good Yorkshire lad. He tells them and when he tells them he expects them to do it, there’s no grey areas, it’s great.”

The squad are off to the Carton House hotel in Co Kildare next week ahead of their opening friendly against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday 12th July (KO 3pm).

Photo: Action Images

alexsmith111 added 06:11 - Jul 4 Micks either being clever by talking up a sale/fee, or getting him to work hard and change to earn a 2nd chance, successfully. Either way think he's up to something, but either one benefit a us as a club so good on ya mick!
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alexsmith111 added 06:12 - Jul 4 Micks either being clever by talking up a sale/fee, or getting him to work hard and change to earn a 2nd chance, successfully. Either way think he's up to something, but either one benefit a us as a club so good on ya mick!
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Sospiri added 06:21 - Jul 4 A fit Taylor, with his mind on the game, and playing in position, could be a potent force this season.
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tractordownsouth added 06:41 - Jul 4 Paz will be pleased! Seriously, I think this is good. If he gets a fair chance and puts in a shift in return, it can only be positive for us, as he is a creative player, the type are lacking. I think the spirit in the squad is very good and when you look at other clubs like Blackpool and Leeds and the turmoil they are in, we look a lot better in comparison.
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stevelincsexile added 06:52 - Jul 4 I have been quiet all summer because all the speculation and moaning bores me however now I am starting to get exited about what looks to be a promising season. Having Taylor and Anderson firing is like having two new players, we saw in patches what they are capable of last season so they can hopefully do the business this season. Add on Henshaal and Cameron, Hewitt and Marriott a midfield general a new keeper job done.

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stevelincsexile added 06:59 - Jul 4 Oh and add a fit Mcgoldrick.
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essexboy added 07:24 - Jul 4 Having a fit TAYLOR with a 100% commitment to the club is a big bonus?Lets just hope both he and Mick can become friends,I think a lot of people had forgotten about him for this season as there was talk of him being sold.COYB,just cannot wait for the season to start.Just let Mick have some of the transfer money and things can only get even better.
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battyblue added 07:47 - Jul 4 Things shaping up well it seems lets hope Cresswells fee is put to good use and that we play every one in their best position for a change,,,,,,,, but i cant see that happening somehow but we can but hope.
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blueherts added 07:52 - Jul 4 Still my favourite photo !!! Good news and now lets go get HARRY FORRESTER from Doncaster
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martleshamitfc added 07:58 - Jul 4 Is there a fit list? who won?
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blueherts added 07:58 - Jul 4 Bit concerned about Didsy - Going to see a specialist in US doesnt sound like his leg is healing as well as should be . He was so key for us up to his injury and without JW coming in we would have faltered - Would like to see us go for a lower league striker like Hogan as without DMc coming straight back not sure where all goals will come from - At least we have some width and pace now !

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brittaniaman added 08:11 - Jul 4 Perhaps with a fit and committed Taylor,, he could be that bit of Flair that has been missing from our midfield ???????????? So come on Paul show Mick that you can do it, and prove to him that you are worth that £1.5 million we paid for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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BigHibbs added 08:16 - Jul 4 Tails is a good boy, he means well. I've played quite a bit of snooker with him over the last two years and he does mean to do the things he says he will do. He's forever telling mick he will turn it around. But then he will do silly things like not turn up for the flight to a training camp. He is given more of a chance to mess up by mm because mm can see the talent in the man. He's also very likeable ! I for one hope he has finally done what he said he would do and got himself fit (which judging by these comments) he has ! He can prove to be (excuse the cliché) "like a new signing"

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TownOnTheUp added 08:26 - Jul 4 This is one of those occasions where I find McCarthy a little disingenuous. He hasn't played Taylor last season, he's criticised him publicly and ultimately transfer listed him, and yet he's got a 'clean slate' for this season. I can't see this as anything other than an attempt to remind potential buyers he's in the shop window, or more likely that there isn't a market for him and so McCarthy is having to backtrack rather rapidly. That said, a fit, focused, firing Taylor is a good option to have, though I'd be wary of pinning my hopes on someone who is essentially unproven with us.

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bring_back_Wickham added 08:41 - Jul 4 beast
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Wickets added 08:47 - Jul 4 Lets hope Paul has turned a corner perhaps grown up a bit.No doubt he has ability and is different to our other strikers,if he hits form could become a fans favorite.
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Michael11 added 08:49 - Jul 4 I think he's just trying to drum up some interest for him. It'd be nice to see if he can finally love up to his price tag this season. Whether he was fit or not last season, there was times when he was man of the match and still didn't keep his place the week after.
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bluelady added 09:12 - Jul 4 Maybe Taylor has realised with no other team taking an interest that his career is on the line and h could be heading for no mans land with Mr Chopra - what better incentive to give yourself a kick up the Butt? Whatever MM agenda is, genuinely meaning his words or putting him in the shop window it's shrewd.... Taylor's talent as never under question only his ability to really knuckle down -let's hope that time has finally come of so we have one hell of a player on our hands and with a fit Didds could be quite a force

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Lightningboy added 10:14 - Jul 4 6th fittest?....wow! Get rid Mick..been nothing but a disaster since we signed him.
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jas0999 added 10:19 - Jul 4 A number of TWTD posters have blamed Mick for Taylor not being picked. However, whether fans like it or not, Mick expects his players to give their all in training, reserve games and first team matches. He expects all players to do the basics. Reality is Taylor wasn't doing that. He's also been a trouble maker since he joined. If though he has returned with a new attitude and is prepared to graft, then there is every chance he will be rewarded. It's up to Taylor.

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BillBlue added 10:34 - Jul 4 So Jas -when you say "The reality is" you know all those things as facts do you? Mmmm..
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Garv added 12:02 - Jul 4 Has Mick come to his senses?
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TimmyH added 12:31 - Jul 4 hhmmm...come 3pm on Saturday I wonder whether the 'flying' Taylor will be in the starting 11, I very much doubt it. As alexsmith said on the first post could be shouting his name about for potential buyers.
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tractorintheloft added 12:36 - Jul 4 Garv - I think you'll find Taylor has come to his senses. MM wants the team to put in the effort and if they don't they don't play. This has created the best team spirit since BFJ. MM proven manager and gets most things right. Even Sir Alex let Pogba leave MU and Sir Bobby turned down Gazza so you let the odd one slip by becasue it's about balancing individual needs within a team enviroment.

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clint_eastwood added 13:26 - Jul 4 An on-fire fit Taylor would be like a new signing!!
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