Town boss Mick McCarthy says defender Matt Clarke will join Portsmouth on loan before the start of the season, once he has cover in place at Portman Road.

The 18-year-old centre-half has played two pre-season friendlies for the League Two side, scoring the second goal in last night’s 2-0 victory at Woking.

“He’ll be going on loan when I’m ready to do it,” McCarthy said. “I need to make sure I’m OK first. He’ll probably be there before the season starts, certainly for the first game of the season.

“They’re delighted with him and I really want him to get some football because he’s a great kid and he’s a good player and he needs to play at a professional level. So he will go, but I just need to try and make sure I’m covered.”

McCarthy wouldn’t be drawn on whether there were any developments regarding additions to his squad - “No, and I wouldn’t tell you if there was!” - and specifically his reported interest in former Leeds midfielder Rodolph Austin.

“I think you’ll find he’s playing in the final of the Gold Cup on Sunday [for Jamaica], so unless he decides not to go and play in that one and come here, then he won’t be coming here!,” he joked.

Regarding 18-year-old Valenciennes frontman Andy Faustin, who was linked with a trial with the Blues by the French press, he added: “If anybody turns up, you’ll see them when they come here, you know the score!”

As for Darren Ambrose, who is training with the club as he looks to win a new deal, McCarthy says he's yet to make a decision.

“I just want to make sure to be fair to him because he’s not been fit," the Town boss said.

"He got 30 minutes in a team playing up front, which isn’t really his slot. We’ll see. Still working on it.”

Meanwhile, Everton left-back Luke Garbutt has joined Fulham on a season-long loan having been linked with the Blues amongst a several other Championship clubs.

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 18:00 - Jul 25 Reckon Mick has his plan set up after reading that statement.
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jas0999 added 18:52 - Jul 25 Good. It would be a great move for Clarke, but sounds as though he won't go until we have signed someone, hopefully a couple of players. Sensible. Regarding Ambrose, I'm struggling here. Missed numerous games last season due to injury. Injured for most of pre season. What's the point? Anderson would have been a better option.
2

Axeldalai_lama added 18:53 - Jul 25 Anyone would think Mick is a competent manager who actually knows what he is doing. Shocking.
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Len_Brennan added 19:32 - Jul 25 Stephen Kelly coming in on a free in the next week. Can play anywhere across the back 4, but mainly at RB.
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Garv added 19:52 - Jul 25 Heart says Ambrose should be given a deal. Head says no. Added next to nothing aside from in the two games against Southampton. He also can't seem to stay fit.
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ArnieM added 19:59 - Jul 25 Who is Stephen Kelly?
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rickw added 20:35 - Jul 25 Experienced Irish international mainly known for his time at Fulham, he left Reading end of the season, he seems exactly like the sort of player Mick would go for - Irish and free! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Kelly_(footballer)
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Peanutblue1980 added 20:54 - Jul 25 http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stephen-kelly/profil/spieler/12125#ath
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BlueandTruesince82 added 22:37 - Jul 25 Thought Kelly would be a decent signing when i heard he'd left them. Assumed he would go to QPR or Hull or somewhere. Good cover, experience only 31. Lets just basicly sign the entire ROI side and be done with it. We all know what a good job Mick did when he was their manger last time.
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Green_Army added 23:44 - Jul 25 Could be a good shout that Len_Brennan!
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muccletonjoe added 07:17 - Jul 26 I still think Andy wilkinson is the one mm wants
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DanLyles added 09:44 - Jul 26 Kelly would be a great signing. Parr, Berra, Chambers, Kelly as the back four would make us stronger and better balanced than last season imo and £8m better off. I should imagine the rest of the team picks itself with the two wingers and strikers that started against Posh, Skuse in the holidng role then maybe Bru and Bishop fighting it out for the AM role.
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BlueSwede added 12:00 - Jul 26 Hey Len. Pleased to see my thoughts/hopes/predictios on Wednesday were right. Kelly will be a great addition to the team.
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Seasider added 16:09 - Jul 26 Doesn't look like the purse strings are being loosened yet then?
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