Town boss Mick McCarthy says versatile players such as Paul Digby, who signed on a permanent basis earlier today, could be very important in the season ahead with EFL clubs no longer able to sign players on emergency loans.

“Diggers played well when he came on the loan from Barnsley. He did really well, certainly in his starting debut at Middlesbrough when we drew 0-0. He was excellent in the game,” McCarthy said at his traditional start of pre-season press conference this morning.

“He brings a bit of versatility to it. He’s quite clearly fit, he’s come back and won the bleep tests against Luke Hyam, which I don’t think anybody’s ever done before.

“He brings versatility in terms of where he can play, he’s played in midfield and at full-back, but he excelled at centre-back when he played.

“And next year when we’ve got no emergency loans we’ll need that versatility and if we do have problems somebody who can play in a number of positions is going to be really important to us.

“He’s one that was a bright young England prospect — maybe today that’s not worthwhile saying but is should be mentioned — and he had some injuries and his career stalled a little bit. I’m hoping he’ll resurrect it with us.”

He added: “It seems like we’ve got plenty of defenders, although we’ve lived on five generally for the last two or three seasons with Chambo, Christophe, Tommy, Tyrone Mings or Jonas and before him Cresser, and probably one or two others that have just flitted in and out.

“So we’ve got two solid back fours and we’ll need that because we’ve got no emergency loans.”

Photo: Action Images

Lathers added 12:42 - Jun 28 "He did Hyamsy in the bleep test"..... should have offered him a 5 year deal! I'd be more excited about signing this young lad if we'd already signed 4 or 5 recognised/key signings. I have no doubt he will be a useful Squad/Cup player, but I'm starting to get twitchy knowing that in 6 weeks time we are back in a 'very' tough Championship and looking at this seasons league and our current squad, I am concerned for our safety.

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12th_Man added 12:55 - Jun 28 Not what we want to hear so basically he saying play players out of their positions
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phillo added 13:01 - Jun 28 He's got a Mick nickname already so should be a shoo in for a place ..... probably out of position at left wing.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 13:01 - Jun 28 No benefit whatsoever, to the club plus we should've hung onto Clark
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RegencyBlue added 13:37 - Jun 28 So more square pegs in round holes then - doesn't bode well! We needed four or five key signings and so far have made one. Still time to rectify this but need to get on with it!!
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londonben added 15:02 - Jun 28 Why all the negativity? So he can play in more than one position, that's probably because he's only 21 and hasn't fully specialised into a position yet. If he's a good centre back that can play on the right or in midfield, that suggests he's reasonably quick and can play the ball a bit...ideal for a centre-back no? From my understanding, he was playing as a midfielder and Mick wants him to specialise as a ball-playing, mobile centre-back...isn't that what we've been crying out for for years now? I understand the concerns about playing people out of position, but isn't Mick simply saying he can cover multiple positions if required? I think this is a decent signing...young, hungry player on a one year deal that will probably cost us very little, he can fight for a longer contract or be released at the end of the year...kind of seems like a win-win to me!

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jas0999 added 16:42 - Jun 28 We therefore need to ensure we bolster our squad with sufficient numbers, but we shouldn't compromise on quality. Signing the likes of Coke, Toure, the Polish fella and Yorwerth should be avoided. But in fairness to Digby he is miles better than all of those. Still much to do as we are still lacking in numbers.
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runaround added 17:59 - Jun 28 Welcome permanently Paul
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BlueandTruesince82 added 20:09 - Jun 28 You lot do know that some players can actually play in more than one position? It is feasible, total football the Dutch called it, although I will admit done with a little more panache. The point being made is that he provides cover in a variety of positions meaning more options in the event of injury. He might not know what his best potion even is. Remember bambam? He was a striker, oh yh but then a really decent defender too, Dion Dublin same. In this day an age every club needs a versitle player who can step into multiple positions, it's sensible planning. It's 1 nil, 85 mins gone, you've subbed 1 centre back and the other has just got injured. No more centre backs on the bench, oh but there's Digby he tf for that. Sam scenario for full back, same scenario midfield. No emergency loans= need for sensible planning. This is a start.

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harlingblue added 02:50 - Jun 29 Digsby could be a good signing. If you are able to get to U21 games, you will see that he is noisy and demanding, that is a midfield player in the making.
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LuciBlue added 08:57 - Jun 29 'noisy and demanding', he could be a regular poster on here!
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Dissboyitfc added 16:00 - Jun 29 The days of the utility are all but over really. Utility players were more important back when you had one sub. We NEED specialist players in correct positions, no more shoe horning players to fit in positions. Proper players doing the business in their proper positions!
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