Blues boss Mick McCarthy is delighted central defender Josh Yorwerth has gone out on loan to Crawley Town and is getting the chance to play some meaningful games, believing that the Welshman is beyond U21s football.

“Delighted,” McCarthy said when quizzed on the 28-day move which saw the former Cardiff trainee make his debut in a 3-0 win back in Wales against Newport County on Tuesday. On Saturday the Red Devils, who are now fourth bottom, lost 2-1 away against leaders Plymouth.

“They were second bottom of League Two so as a defender you think he’s going get a bit of work, but he had a great result there at Newport.

“It’s a good move for him and I’m delighted that he can go out and play some meaningful football.

“He’s beyond the U21s, he’s better than that, he’s been a star in that, a real man and a good competitor. That’s the next level for him and playing week in, week, out.”

While he says he’s able influence whether managers play loan players in their first games whether they keep their places is down to their form.

“The first game I can certainly, but then if they’re hopeless, whoever else goes and he doesn’t play well, I can’t pick his team and I wouldn’t dream of doing it,” he added.

“But when we’re doing that as managers we’ve looked at them and thought the player concerned can cope with what we want.

“We took Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a 17-year-old and nobody knew who he was when he tipped up here.

“I’d seen him play, we’ve seen him play as a club, the coaches, and you think that he can play and start, there’s no question. But then if he plays badly and he’s not up to it, we’d leave him out, just like they would with Josh.

“But you kind of feel that that’s not ever going to happen [with Maitland-Niles], and it won’t happen with Josh either, he’s a very competent player, and certainly at that level he is.”

McCarthy is confident that Yorwerth, who joined Town in the summer following a trial having been released by Cardiff, is capable of being a Championship player, and in the short term.

“Yes, and I don’t think he’ll need a season or two to find his feet, I think he will,” he insisted.

“He’s improved since he came here. He’s got all the tools to be a good defender, Josh. He’s quick, he’s aggressive, he wants to head it, he can head it, he can play. That was maybe his downfall a bit when he came here - be a defender first and foremost.

"And that’s what he’s done and that’s why league managers wanted him on loan. I’m really pleased with him.”

He says loan spells can be a test of character for players who may be asked to play differently.

“He should still have the same values and same work ethic and play the same way,” McCarthy continued. “The manager might ask him to fan out and play a bit more football but the defensive role he’s had and how we’re saying he should be doing it, he should stick to that.

“And they’re not making money, it probably costs them money to stay and to travel, but he was so determined and wanted to go out and play, which was great. There was no question, it was just ‘Where do I sign, let me get playing’.”

Yorwerth will miss Crawley’s game at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday - the Football League turned down the Red Devils’ request to have the game postponed due to international calls - as he and Blues keeper Michael Crowe will be with the Wales U21 squad for their Euro 2017 qualifier against Denmark in Aalborg on Friday.

With Matt Clarke impressing on loan at Portsmouth - Pompey drew 0-0 at home to Yeovil on Saturday and are now fourth in League Two – and full-backs Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock also making progress, McCarthy has seen a young back four emerge in the opening weeks of this season.

“That’s really pleasing, and three of the coming through the academy is terrific,” the Town boss enthused. “Josh Emmanuel is really doing well, I thought he was excellent at Old Trafford. He’s just got more experienced players in front of him.

“Myles Kenlock, he keeps playing in the U21s, he’s doing well and Clarkey, Mark Kennedy watched him on Tuesday night and said he was excellent.”

The Blues boss says he could look to send more of his youngsters out on loan: “Possibly, if somebody is looking for them, yes. I’m not going to be touting them around but I think if somebody is looking for them they’d get a bit of quality.”

Photo: Action Images

Lightningboy added 11:39 - Oct 7 I think the problem now is that we have so many midfielders and attackers to choose from (when all are fit) that us fans probably couldn't decide on our best line up let alone Mick. Sometimes more isn't always best..look at what happened to Magilton when he was given a blank cheque to sign who he wanted - completely disrupted the team. I'd like to see Emmanuel given a run in the team at right back..surely this is the division/season for him to get some experience under his belt?..afterall,Mick threw Mings into the team and that paid off.

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blueherts added 12:37 - Oct 7 Spot on Lightening - I think we could probably name over half a dozen different formations - for attacking 5 players - and have a 'decent looking offense( NFL TERM!) Just the 6 behind are the 'REAL' concern at the moment I agree re Emmanuel - he played in the first game and up against Jota - on a shocking pitch ! he did ok - we conceded by the old ball over Chamber and Smith and a corner I just think MM natural 'style' is play not to get beaten - which last year with Anderson and Tabb etc was easier to do than with Fraser and Niles who are naturally more attacking . He knows they are not 'naturally' going t be the best at tracking back - but sadly our current RB needs ALOT of protection and Knudsen is still learning . I love the 'flair' players we have but I think it is causing MM some challenges ! Just my opinion - of course!

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armchaircritic59 added 17:45 - Oct 7 I've posted on here a couple of times before about the ability to pass the ball accurately over a range of distances, surely being a basic requirement of a professional footballer (at any level). These days it's more about being able to run around in headless chicken fashion for 90 or so minutes. If we're not teaching youngsters at grass roots level the basics, then the game in this country is going to hell in a handcart! I find the comments above from MM re Yorwerth " maybe playing a bit more football" at Crawley appalling. It really is no wonder England havn't won a major football trophy for nearly half a century, with the type of coaching that appears to be endemic in this country, (with a few notable exceptions).

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