Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he expects to confirm the signing of Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a season-long loan today.

The Blues squad were in for the first day of pre-season training this morning - photos of the squad in action will follow - but with Maitland-Niles’s deal still to be formally completed the 17-year-old was unable to join his team-mates at Playford Road.

However, McCarthy expects the deal to be sorted this afternoon: “I’m going to speak to him today if everything’s fine. [He’ll be on board] today, I hope."

Having sold Tyrone Mings to AFC Bournemouth for an initial £8 million last week McCarthy has cash to spend but was staying typically tight-lipped on which areas he will be looking to strengthen and any potential targets.

“None that I’m prepared to share with you or anywhere else, or how many because that’s just nonsense telling you that.”

In addition to new signings such as Maitland-Niles, Brett Pitman, Ryan Fraser and anyone else he adds to his squad, McCarthy also wants to see some of the players who came in over the course of last season make an impact.

"I hope the lads that we’ve got that we didn’t see last year, Dylan Connolly, who was excellent in the U21s, I’m hoping he’ll flourish as well, and Alex Henshall, who has come back flying," he added.

“He’s had a personal trainer, I think he’s set his stall out. He had a good end to the season, so I’m hopeful for him as well.”

Photo: Action Images

Superblue95 added 11:36 - Jun 30 Good luck looking forward to seeing what you can do. Best to keep his mother away though I reckon
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Ryorry added 11:43 - Jun 30 "Maitland Niles, Maitland Niles, Puts it in the net and we're all smiles" Here's hoping! Welcome aboard in advance lad :)
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theblueginger added 11:49 - Jun 30 I thot for a second there it was yet another Toure brother. Looks a lot like Kolo. Anyways welcome to Town COYB
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Bluetone added 11:50 - Jun 30 Unusual for a McCarthy deal to take so long to finalise.
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radiogaga added 11:51 - Jun 30 “None that I'm prepared to share with you or anywhere else, or how many because that's just nonsense telling you that.” Something that Jewell could never grasp
5

brendenward35 added 11:53 - Jun 30 His mother working out if she is stronger than Terry and Mick put together, god help them if she turns up to have a rant
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Chicago_Blue added 11:54 - Jun 30 All good and well, but will we ever get to see him play, ala Henshall or Stewart?
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bluefeast added 11:58 - Jun 30 Don't think that Arsenal lad is going to sign ,deal not done MM needs to speak to him to see if all is fine. The lad should of been there today , has he got an attitude >?????????
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mason76 added 12:16 - Jun 30 We're there any trialists?
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iaintaylorx added 12:22 - Jun 30 only 17, but has fantastic feet, and hopefully will inject some flair into the squad! also, fantastic news about cresswell, signing a 5 year deal with west ham could benefit us massively too, as if a club were to buy him, the deal would be an expensive one, and we could get a bit of money due to sell on clauses!!
8

Kirbmeister added 12:30 - Jun 30 Chicago Blue - He'll play if he's good enough. Henshall and Stewart aren't.
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jas0999 added 12:31 - Jun 30 Strange that we have secured two loans already. Don't get me wrong, both seem like good players, but usually loans are utilised to supplement the squad. Presumably there are plenty of permanent signings to come. The squad is currently very small.
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Marcus added 12:33 - Jun 30 @Ryorry - you need to think more Ipswich Town style with songs... One Maitland-Niles, there's only one Maitland-Niles...
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blue_movies added 12:41 - Jun 30 It isn't going to happen, Mick. if it was he would be here already.
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bluefeast added 13:05 - Jun 30 I agree blue movies with you on that one.
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muccletonjoe added 13:11 - Jun 30 Think he will turn out to be our best signing of the summer
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gosblue added 13:13 - Jun 30 Impressed with Henshall getting a personal trainer. The days of professional footballers coming back fat and trying to get fit before the season should be well behind us.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 13:31 - Jun 30 So. . . Henshall has a personal trainer eh?? I wondered what Mr Blobby was doing nowadays. . .
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ITFCFan added 15:14 - Jun 30 Henshall & Connolly both player that are lightening quick!! Let's hope they flourish in pre-season and can impose them selfs on the big stage!! One thing we missed last was pace on the flanks!! Bring it on lads!!
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Garv added 15:36 - Jun 30 No mention of Stewart?
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bohslegend added 15:39 - Jun 30 Keep the good news coming MM!
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