Blues manager Mick McCarthy says he’s pleased to have versatile season-long loanee Conor Grant in his squad but says the Everton man is currently being kept out of the side by the form of other players.

Grant, 21, joined the Blues at the start of August but has made only three starts and two sub appearances so far with a groin injury having sidelined him for a month.

McCarthy says the former England U18 international can play anywhere across the midfield but in addition to the injury has seen his opportunities limited by the form of other players.

“He can play any one of them, I think,” the Town boss said. “In a three in the middle, but bearing in mind Skusey and Dougie have been playing so well, Kevin Bru has.

“He could play in a 4-4-2 when we’ve got two up top, he did against [Derby]. If you’ve got two up top I think he can play in a four. He’s a versatile player and it’s nice to have that type, to be honest with you.”

Photo: TWTD

BrettenhamBlue added 08:31 - Oct 11 "In a three in the middle, but bearing in mind Skusey and Dougie have been playing so well, Kevin Bru haS" Really MM? Skuse has been about 4/10 all season and Douglas a 3/10. Who are you comparing them too? Our back up midfielders? If so, doesn't say much about their ability does it?
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tractorshark added 08:40 - Oct 11 I've pretty much backed Mick but this is a ludicrous comment which serves no purpose other to wind up already angry fans. Douglas was good up to the first international break but now the same deficiencies are coming through. No engine etc. Skuse has been ok but not at his best, although he still warrants a place. As for Bru, I've been banging on for ages that he's totally over-rated by our fans. No courage, inconsistent. The only thing I'll give him is we look better when he plays alongside Skuse instead of Douglas. That allows Bishop to roam ahead of him. I'm not sure Dozzell is totally ready for the Championship but I don't see why Bishop and Grant haven't had more opportunities.

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TR11BLU added 08:42 - Oct 11 Just £uck o££ Dino...
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BrettenhamBlue added 08:53 - Oct 11 Tractorshark Totally agree with your view. Makes me wonder if MM is comparing Skuse and Douglas to Coke?
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muhrensleftfoot added 08:56 - Oct 11 Don't normally get involved with the anti Mick vitriol on here, but this really takes the biscuit. The current midfield have hardly created a single chance between them in I don't know how many games! Unbelievable comment, I know he's the pro and I'm a mere fan who knows nothing but come on....
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DirtyOldNodger added 09:01 - Oct 11 TWTD posters - the only thing guaranteed to be more boring than our current poor run of results.
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vanmunt added 09:01 - Oct 11 Calm down, he's winding us up... there's no way he is going to start with Larry, Moe and Curly on Saturday. He's not is he, come on.. but then, is he?
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blueblood66 added 09:04 - Oct 11 for the love of god.....
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blueblood66 added 09:05 - Oct 11 PLOT. LOST.
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rickw added 09:10 - Oct 11 Mick doesn't seem to understand, next home match if we draw 0-0 again they'll get booed off, however if we draw 4-4 they'll get applauded off - even though it's not a better result! Fans want entertainment and that's not going to come whilst we have 2 holding midfielders at home.....
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2_Goal added 09:25 - Oct 11 Skusie and Douglas playing well!! Are you kidding? I saw the last two games and they were both awful. MM - I think the time has come... Can we please have Roberto de matteo instead.
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prebsa added 09:33 - Oct 11 Another comical post! Skuse and Douglas playing well. Must be watching a completely different game to everyone else in the entire stadium. Grant unfortunately won't be getting a game ahead of micks favourites.
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beornioblue added 09:35 - Oct 11 I think thhis is finally the actual proof that Mick is actually taking the Piss out of us and our football team , Creative players not in because of skuse and Doubie !!! joke, laughable, worrying anger inducing joke...We havent scored in 4 due to the midfield that is play and he wont play Bish/Grant and probably Williams because it might prove Mick wrong which is what I now th9ink he cares about more than ITFC. Time is up you stupid old man if you honestly believe in the words in this stupid article then the cheese has finally slipped off the cracker and lunacy beckons..and take f$%*ing Dougie with you

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Surco72 added 09:36 - Oct 11 Dirtyoldnodger ... are you seriously agreeing with MM to start the brilliant Skuse , Douglas and Bru again on Saturday ? MM probably will until they win a game and then he can say " i was right they were great " , he has already not played Williams and Bishop in a U23 game so they can get a bit of match fitness so that is one excuse but to not select Grant due to the form of others is outrageous we haven't scored for weeks Mick !!

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braveblue added 09:46 - Oct 11 What an absolute clown this man is. The form of other players. I used to respect him but this constant drivel is ridiculous.
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MattinLondon added 09:57 - Oct 11 Personally I don't really like loans and would much rather play Dozzell, McDonnell, Bishop, Kenyu etc. But really??? Playing well?? Skuse and Douglas and Bru??
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rollercoastertown added 10:10 - Oct 11 Read this and wrote note to self......note simply said, "somebody, please help us"
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Lightningboy added 10:18 - Oct 11 Mick is obviously having a laugh here?....isn't he??...please tell me he's joking. You're lucky that the international break came when it did Mick cos another couple of pi55 poor performances and defeats last week and I think you would've been getting some serious stick. Big few weeks ahead for McCarthy me thinks.
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kozmik added 10:22 - Oct 11 Unfortunately I've just about had enough of this crap now. MM has done wonders for us, but it is patently obvious that without a serious cash injection we are going nowhere fast. I want my club back!!!
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brittaniaman added 10:34 - Oct 11 This would mess McCarthy up (as I have said before) start the games with no points and you have got to score goals to earn your points ?? surely that would make the games more interesting instead of hanging on for a hopeful boring 0-0 draw for one point. So just perhaps then McCarthy MIGHT go for an attacking side ??????? as rickw said before a 4-4 scoreline fans would go home a lot happier

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PortmanTerrorist added 10:50 - Oct 11 Those of us that attend games regularly know that what MM is saying about Skuse, Douglas and Bru is irrational. So that begs the question; why is he saying these things ? The easy answer is that he has lost the plot as people seem to suggesting on here, but i doubt that give we all know he is a wise old fox (Wolf?) - so what is he up to ? I have no clue - any suggestions welcome.

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tractorkent added 10:51 - Oct 11 Please do not worry folks because fingers crossed we will soon have Luke hyam back to add the midfield flair,Hyam,Skuse and Douglas is mouth watering.Enough flair there to light up,eerrh something very dark
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BackTheBlues added 10:57 - Oct 11 I've backed McCarthy - many many times! Defended him to the Hill... But this latest set of arrogance is starting to push me the wrong way! WE ARE NOT PLAYING WELL! WE ARE NOT WINNING CONSISTENTLY! The Middle 3 are APPALLING - Only Skuse should be in that midfield! Losing the will to watch...
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strikalite added 11:01 - Oct 11 Mick's problem is that he is managing a team as when he was a defender, so his mindset firstly is shut up shop and don't concede...so his team selection will always reflect this, even his flair players have to think about defending before expressing... Desperate days...
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nysully added 11:10 - Oct 11 If I were Ronald Koeman and I read this I would immediately recall Conor Grant!
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