Town boss Mick McCarthy hopes to continue his ongoing transfer discussions with owner Marcus Evans over the weekend when they take part in the Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Classic at the Pestana Vila Sol course in Portugal. The Blues are understood to be in talks with Blackburn Rovers regarding the signing of winger Elliott Bennett and are also targeting Premier League loanees.

McCarthy and Evans are both regular participants in the tournament, which legendary Blues boss Robson instigated in 2004 to raise money for a homeless children’s charity, the Refugio Aboim Ascensão, which is based in Faro.

Also amongst those taking part will be Charlie Woods, Simon Milton, Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Alan Brazil, John Wark and George Burley.

“I don’t know how much time we’ll get to spend together, but I hope to get a chat with him,” McCarthy said.

The Town manager, whose priority is adding wingers to his squad, says he and Evans maintain an open line of communication during the summer, regularly discussing the club's transfer business.

“Absolutely,” he added. “We’re kind of waiting on a number of different things that we’re trying to do. Players that we’re trying to bring in. We’ll just have to wait and see.

“But Cameron Stewart’s doing really well playing wide left and I think Bish has been excellent on the right, so we have got players who can play there.”

Town and Blackburn are understood to be discussing the terms of Bennett moving to Portman Road with the Ewood Park club keen to recoup the reported £250,000 they paid Norwich for the 27-year-old in January.

Quizzed on links with Bennett on Wednesday night, McCarthy wouldn't confirm or deny his interest, although admitted that the former Brighton and Norwich wideman is a player he likes.

With no friendly on Saturday, McCarthy is giving his squad a break: “Over the weekend [they’ll be having some time off] and then we’re back in on Monday to prepare for the Colchester game [on Wednesday] and then that’ll be us all the way through then.”

He says players will start to get more than just 45 minutes from the Colchester game onwards.

“Quite clearly it’s just been two mixed-up teams with some youngsters and some experience so far, but it might be getting to where they’re getting 60 minutes, then others will get 60 or 70 minutes at Cambridge.”

Striker Daryl Murphy returned to pre-season training on Tuesday having been given additional time off having been away with the Republic of Ireland at the Euros and McCarthy says the 33-year-old won't be involved in a game until next weekend.

“It’ll be Cambridge on Saturday that we’ll be looking at," he said. "Adam Webster has every chance of playing some part against Cambridge as well, that’s great.”

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Paul Taylor, 28, has rejoined his former club Peterborough United, having failed to find a club during 2015/16 following his release by Town during the previous season.

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 15:26 - Jul 16 Looks like ITFC are beginning to be uncompetitive with the ordinary teams in this league now with Feeney choosing Blackburn and Payne going to Huddersfield.If one looks at the BBC list of transfers, there are many being done from all divisions,including loans so his recent utterances look increasingly spurious,and I hope the bit about hoping to get to chat with Marcus is as well? paulcooperisagod."Marcus Evans I presume?"lol. Just another couple of silly things gosblue.Mr John would have been pleased to be knighted I am sure,and no doubt would have celebrated as only our former Chairman would!!! DirtyOldNodger must be our longest surviving supporter,having supported the club 40 years before they were formed.My 55 years pale into insignificance !!! lol Like some on here will wait until the end of next month re transfers,and the end September re performances before getting too hot under the collar.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:48 - Jul 16 7th, 6th, 7th and people talk about survoval football. May I suggested we adopt alays look on the bright side of life as the unofficial club anthem. There are old men in Yorkshire that worked 50 years man and boy down t'mine that are less miserable
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midastouch added 16:07 - Jul 16 I'd of probably rather finished 17th than finish 6th and then get beaten by Norwich in the Play Offs! :-) But then I live in that neck of the woods so I get more stick than most when we get turned over by our noisy neighbours as I'm right in the eye of the storm! That is why I'm getting particularly concerned about our lack of signings as I'm in for a lot of stick if we don't get some points of the Budgies next season!

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blueboy1981 added 16:26 - Jul 16 DirtyOldNodger ............. would certainly take a MENSA test against most , if not all, of my critics on here. No worries - just bring it on.
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Steve_D added 22:14 - Jul 16 Season tickets not selling let's try a desperate attempt to raise them
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