Town boss Mick McCarthy says yesterday’s Scottish report claiming Blues central defender Christophe Berra could leave Portman Road and rejoin his old club Hearts this month is “just ridiculous”.

It was reported that Berra, 31, was in the process of negotiating a settlement of the final six months of his contract with the Blues and would subsequently be set for a return to Tynecastle, but McCarthy dismissed the claim out of hand.

“That is just ridiculous,” he said. “Have you seen how many players we’ve had recently, the squad and the substitutes we’ve had? And I would be settling up Christophe Berra’s contract, who has played every single game? I don’t think so.

“How ridiculous that rumour is. There are rumours that might be close to the truth, but that’s as far away from the truth as you can get. It’s nuts.”

Asked about Berra potentially going back to Scotland, he joked: “He’s not heading back now, he’s got eight weeks off in the summer, he can do what he wants then!

“We’ve got an option on him to sign him. We’re talking again about options, he’s our player for the next 18 months if that’s what we want to do.

“I can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t want to keep Christophe Berra, he’s been different class, he’s arguably been our best defender for the last four years.

“He’s certainly been one of the top ones and has consistently played. He’s staying here as far as I’m concerned.”

Having signed Kieffer Moore from Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, McCarthy says he’s no nearer making a further addition to his squad.

“No, and nothing could be done between now and tomorrow which could affect tomorrow’s game anyway, so it would be for the weekend,” he added. “We’re still trying and still getting negatives at the moment.”

Photo: TWTD

carsey added 22:13 - Jan 16 Clearly I'm not going to be very popular on this subject but here goes. Berra has indeed been one of our best defenders since his arrival and I would certainly put him up there with some of the best the club have had in my 40+ years. My reservation with him started when he was first paired with Tommy Smith both left footed and he was given the easier position of playing on the left of the pair. As the senior player, in my view, he ought to have taken the more difficult right side. Fortunately Tommy worked on his right foot and as a pair they did well. He has always had a need to grab and wrestle with opposition players at corners and free kicks and I find it hard to believe he doesn't get spotted by referees more often. If you don't believe me make a point of watching him. I have a theory it has got worse as he has got older and slower. In his defence he has popped up with a few goals but I am more concerned about his errors and contrary to McCarthy I believe they are becoming more prevalent and costly. I'm not saying he should be got rid of but everyone knows what McCarthy is like with favourites and I wouldn't want him kept on like Douglas on the 1 year option and garuanteed a starting position ahead of a younger possibly better defender. Webster is the type of centre back we need to be looking for one who can play football as well as head the ball and once fit Tommy should be in the side ahead of Berra.

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JohnyJohnson added 22:20 - Jan 16 One of our best players and still got years of great football in him. Look at mcauly and delaney, still regular starters on worlds best league, hes just as good as those two when they were with us. He will only get better. Lucky to have him!
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