Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s closer to making further additions to his squad with the Blues currently in “discussions with clubs”. Speaking on Tuesday at Colchester, the Blues boss expressed his frustrations regarding progress on bringing in further signings.

But, speaking at this morning’s open day, he says he closer to making new signings: “I think so, at least we’re talking to them anyway.”

With owner Marcus Evans in charge of negotiating transfer deals, McCarthy admitted that he wasn't sure whether bids have been accepted at this point: “That I wouldn’t know.”

However, he added that talks are ongoing on, apparently on a number of fronts: “We’re in discussions with clubs.”

The Town boss says he needs to add to his squad with his numbers currently limited: “I’m happy with the players I’ve got but I need to add to the squad.

“We’ve had 16 out today and a couple of those were trialists [Giles Coke and Larsen Touré], so quite clearly that’s not going to see us through for 10 months of a season and 46 games.

“And even at the start we’ve got six games in 21 days, potentially seven if we beat Stevenage.”

Released striker Noel Hunt also trained with the Blues at Portman Road this morning, in front of a record open day crowd of more than 7,500, and is understood to be close to joining Southend.

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 13:11 - Jul 30 Now we're talking. Good to see that it is not just unattached frees aswell, talking to clubs, bids in.
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TennesseeBlue added 13:13 - Jul 30
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Barty89 added 13:14 - Jul 30 I find it funny that when Mick talks about numbers on the field training he always excludes goalkeepers, it's like he forgets they exist sometimes, presumably because they are off training on their own.
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unknown100 added 13:14 - Jul 30 Full backs and goalkeeper, will be disappointed if chambers plays right back all season
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FenboyBlue added 13:19 - Jul 30 That's more like it. Looking forward to the "unbelievably close" and "imminent" follow-ups.
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muccletonjoe added 13:32 - Jul 30 One of those is presumably Vela from Bolton
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topguy added 14:00 - Jul 30 don't know vela's going to be pricey, remember when he wasn't in the Bolton team freeman knocked back a 1 mill bid from Liverpool, so now hes in the first team and looks to be a regular will be worth more than that, but there is the fact Bolton are to sign a free transfer FB soon, and with the money trouble they have might want to replace with a free transfer before he goes for a fee.

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bluefeast added 14:01 - Jul 30 Vela was class last season
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AYACCA added 14:59 - Jul 30 Look no further than TWTD Mick. We know what and who ya gotta sign. simples.
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Michael11 added 15:05 - Jul 30 Hopefully a right back or left back. Still think we're short of options on the wings too. If Maitland-Niles or Fraser got injured we don't have anyone to replace them.
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Len_Brennan added 15:19 - Jul 30 @Michael11: Connolly & Henshall to replace Niles & Fraser on the wing if it was short term? All are attack minded of course. (Not including Stewart) The only defensive option on the wing really is Tabb though, so maybe a covering right-sided midfielder. Unless Mick brings in another left back & uses Parr on the right side of midfield.
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prebbs007 added 15:51 - Jul 30 Parr right side of midfield ?? More square pegs. Chambers out of position smith out of position Tabb no position Parr out of position bishop out of position ( when played on right) stop it !!!! Get the players in to play their correct position. Chambers is a centre back !! Smith has to play left side ( if at all) Parr is a left back. Bishop central. Stop fixing leaks with plasters !!! Come on Marcus get the deals done that Mick has asked for and stop handicapping the best man manager in the league by giving him inadequate resources. You wouldn't do that to any of your staff in your other businesses so why with ITFC. You make all your investment back and much much more with promotion so give Mick the tools to deliver it !!!

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Pip50 added 16:15 - Jul 30 Only got to look at what the bookies think top right corner verses a side we hit for four last year and see the view of our pre season activity. Come on Marcus and co.
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tractorboy23 added 16:16 - Jul 30 Exciting times ahead, trust ME & MM to bring in the right players for the right price. Would like cover/competition for in the holding Role! COYB
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dugoutdave added 16:16 - Jul 30 prebbs - what makes you think that ME is handicapping MM?
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riley26 added 16:38 - Jul 30 Full-back Lawrie Wilson being reported as moving to the Reebok, potential cover/replacement if Vela was to leave...
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prebbs007 added 17:02 - Jul 30 Dugoutdave- I may be wrong of course. Just the impression I get. Mick said @marcus handles transfer negotiations " mm identifies who he wants but me Obv holds purse strings. Milne said we would be competitive in fees and wages. We haven't (apart from Murphy probably) so far this summer. Other clubs (admittedly disregarding FFP which is a joke) have completed a lot of business and I'm sure for players mm wanted therefore I conclude that me is handicapping mm by not delivering his requests. Hope it changes but we are 9 days from kick off and we look decidedly weaker in terms of numbers and lacking quality defensively ( and I include gk in that) we need improvements and cover quickly. If we have another season with primarily geek/bart, chambers RB smith rcb and no cover for back 4 or skuse were screwed. Teams will just attack down our right all day and have a free for all. Come on Marcus get it sorted or waste your investment.

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oH_bluey added 17:08 - Jul 30 B
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oH_bluey added 17:11 - Jul 30 Sorry... Byrne from Swindon would be a good RB.. Young, attacking and fast. Then Joniesta or even Bannan for some creativity! Agree one more winger of quality needed as Maitland-Niles is 17/18 so will burn out. COYB
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MB26 added 17:32 - Jul 30 Douglas from Brentford has been told he's got no future with the club, he's 33 but would be a great squad player to have. Josh Vela was linked yesterday, he can play at the back and in midfield. I think Coke will be signed, not sure about Toure. Guthrie is still around without a club. I can't see Jonny Williams coming back and it's a risk with his fitness if you ask me. A full back, a centre midfielder or two and a winger would be ideal. I wish we could have kept Ando he could have played a full back easily as well as in midfield.

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topguy added 17:33 - Jul 30 see konchesky is surprisingly on the same day it comes out he has no future at leicster interesting I know unlikely as wages would be out of our reach, but its until we know more like someones signed is all we will get. just hope its a main player or 2 coming in to breathe confidence into fans and to pep up the players.
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jas0999 added 17:34 - Jul 30 Good news. Would have been nice to have had these deals sorted sooner so the players have time to gel, but I'm looking forward to seeing several additions - hopefully not all loans - over the coming days and in time for Brentford. Would guess one is a regular left back with the number three shirt not allocated. Parr is good, but injury prone.
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tomitfc added 18:18 - Jul 30 I see palace have agreed a fee with Sunderland for Connor Wickham, surely we had a sell on clause?!
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topguy added 18:27 - Jul 30 15% if memory serves
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sh123 added 18:29 - Jul 30 I saw Byrne from Swindon play in a couple of games on TV towards the back end of the season. Pacey, not only good at going forward but sound defensively aswell. A bit of money should also be on its way from the Wickham deal should it go through I would think....
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