Town boss Mick McCarthy says the financial disparities between the Blues and Norwich City don’t concern him ahead of today’s East Anglian derby at Portman Road.

The Canaries, widely viewed as favourites for today’s game despite Town’s home advantage, returned to the Championship in May after a year in the Premier League with millions in parachute payments.

“Whenever has that bothered me?” McCarthy said. “When I was taking Germany on in the World Cup it would appear that they’d got a few more resources than the Republic of Ireland and that that never bothered me. I remember taking Spain on.

“And likewise, wherever I’ve been that’s been the case. I always believe in making the best of what you’ve got, not complaining about what you haven’t got.”

Despite Norwich being among a number of other clubs having far greater resources than the Blues, McCarthy is adamant that his side can again challenge for promotion.

“Absolutely, because if I sit in here and say anything else that’s really going to have a good effect on team morale, isn’t it?” he said.

“I do believe that and I believe that [we can] by being organised, by being competitive and we’ve got some good players as well.

“If you get all those components together you’ve got a chance, and there will be others that will not be as competitive, will not be as organised and won’t win the game. We’ve done that for the last three or four years and I fully expect to do it again this year.”

He added: "I accepted the job on the terms and conditions and I think I’ve fulfilled them pretty well, actually.

“And I think if you went and asked Marcus he’d tell you he’s delighted with me, and I’m delighted with him as a owner, I’ve no problems with him, he gives me good support.”

McCarthy says he has no idea whether owner Marcus Evans, currently embroiled in the Olympic ticketing controversy, will be at Portman Road for today’s game.

“I’ve never been privy to his diary, prior to whatever headlines we’ve seen and he hasn’t shared that with me this week,” the Town boss said.

“It’s really got nothing to do with me at all. So you’d better speak to somebody concerned. I’m not involved in that company [THG Sports], I work for Ipswich Town.”

Photo: TWTD

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