Asked whether Fletcher was the reason for their trip to see the West Ham youngsters beat West Brom 2-1 at Dagenham and Redbridge’s Victoria Road, McCarthy said: “Just to go and watch the game. I haven’t seen West Brom play and it’s a nice, handy game to go and watch.

“But if anybody wasn’t watching Ashley Fletcher to see how he performed, as a kid who had a great season last year with Barnsley and had two Wembley appearances, playing at Dagenham and Redbridge in the U23s, let me tell you, I think every team in our league would take him if they’d let him out.

“But they’ve got some good players, West Ham. And West Brom had one or two as well who were quite interesting. I was asked how we’re preparing for January, we go scouting, that’s what it is.”

In addition to Town, Leeds United have also been linked with England U20 international Fletcher.

McCarthy poured cold water on a report this morning linking the Blues with 25-year-old Dundalk centre-half Andy Boyle.

“Well, it was [Dundalk winger Daryl] Horgan last week!” he said. “I say we’re looking for players and, yes, you’d be looking for a young one to come through if you can get him at the right price.

"But considering we’ve got four [centre-halves] in reality, with Chambo [Luke Chambers] and Adam [Webster] and Tommy [Smith], who is progressing very, very well with his rehab, and Bez [Christophe Berra], it’s not really the slot I’m looking for. Maybe that answers your question.”

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