Boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll be thrilled if the Blues complete their move for Cardiff City midfielder Emyr Huws, who was on loan at Portman Road last season. The Bluebirds have accepted a Town offer for the 23-year-old Wales international.

“We’ve made a bid and had it accepted by Cardiff,” McCarthy said. “He was an outstanding player for us.

“Tom Lawrence stood out like a sore thumb with the goals that he got, but from Emyr coming in in the window in January, he was brilliant, really outstanding.

“And I don’t think I’ll ever forget the goal he scored against Newcastle that probably rubber-stamped our survival in the league, so if we get him back I’ll be thrilled.”

Is he confident that the Blues will be able to complete the deal with other clubs understood to be interested? “There comes a time with a player… he was a Manchester City player, he was on loan at Birmingham, he was at Huddersfield, he’s been at Wigan, he’s been to Cardiff.

“Sometimes you find a place where you’ve enjoyed the football maybe, you find a manager who trusts you and lets you play and it just fits.

“And I think it did for Emyr and hopefully we can get those performances that he showed last season and better than that if he signs permanently.”

McCarthy says it will be useful that Huws and and Jordan Spence, who signed a longer-term deal earlier in the summer having been on a short-term deal since January, were with the Blues last season.

“It’s continuity,” he added. “Those two players have been here, one was on a short-term contract, which is never great because he’s playing without being able to be composed and assured that he’s going to be here.

“But I thought Jordan Spence did exceptionally well coming in when he did and I’m delighted we’ve signed him.

“Emyr is 23, I’d really love to sign him, he’s a good player. I think there’s improvement in him and he’ll make us a better team if we can sign him.”

Among those at the first day of pre-season training this morning was Steven Taylor, whose short-term contract was up at the end of the season.

“He’s here training with us,” McCarthy said. “I said that to him at the end of last season, bearing in mind he damaged his hamstring badly.

“But when he came in he was a really positive influence in the place and I was delighted with him, so I’ve said he can come in and train. We’ll have a look at him, he can have a look at us.”

Photo: TWTD

boroughblue added 16:53 - Jun 26 This needs to be done. The players made it so clear that he wanted to say, and MM clearly wants him. the only problem I could see with it was agreeing a deal with Cardiff. But we've done that now. Just need to get this over the line. Get it done ME!!!
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Ferguson added 17:00 - Jun 26 No ifs, no buts, no Finance Director cuts ! Get it done Town - House, Car, Golf membership, whatever the girlfriend wants and on to the next one ! COYB
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Ferguson added 17:03 - Jun 26 AND if that next one is Taylor I'd be a happy man.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:21 - Jun 26 should be done and dusted , pleased with this one .
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Len_Brennan added 17:22 - Jun 26 I'd imagine MM had no intention of discussing the Emyr Huws transfer until the deal was finalised, but with Warnock letting the cat out of the bag, he had no option but to address it. Or maybe the player has been hedging his bets waiting for a better personal deal from us or another club and this is a scheme concocted by 2 old heads (NW & MM who are mates) at forcing him to make a call. The ball is very firmly in Huws corner now in any event. As for Taylor, I like him and think he'd be a great signing for a Championship club IF he can put his injuries behind him. a short term deal, or play for pay deal, with the option to formalise a contract after a period of X without a re- occurrence of the injury would be a good bit of business for us. The defence would be sorted then ... particularly if we can tie up Bart on an extension.

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jpring89 added 17:23 - Jun 26 There should be no excuses we have ditched enough crap here to free up his wage demands im sure sooner its done the better
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bugledog123 added 17:40 - Jun 26 Good news if it happens. If only we could afford Tom Lawrence then i might get a season ticket....
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bigolconnor added 17:41 - Jun 26 Both Bru and Pitman could both still take a wage for the whole season if they wanted to. I'd imagine both are on £8,000 +
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:56 - Jun 26 Pittman maybe Connor but not Bru. 2 to 3 k I reckon
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mojo added 18:14 - Jun 26 Great news about Huws. I would be worried if Taylor was the only additional defender to come in given his injury record regardless as to whether the rumours about Emmanuel are true. That said I'm sure he is a great leader and influence around the place.
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runningout added 19:18 - Jun 26 lacking enthusiasm personally. Hope I'm proved totally wrong, and our season goes from strength to strength
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Swn98 added 19:39 - Jun 26 Good news would think this is a done deal as McCarthy usualy plays his cards very close to his chest.
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Michael11 added 20:45 - Jun 26 Done deal if McCarthy's talking about it. Brilliant signing. Made such a positive impact in our dour midfield last season. I still wouldn't class him as a new player though as he was already here so I'd like to think we'll sign another good midfielder to play alongside him. Maybe the boy from John McGinn or Tom Adeyemi. This is certainly the most positive I've felt about the club for at least a year. Hopefully Evans keeps getting that wallet out and investing into a bright future for us.

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RegencyBlue added 21:10 - Jun 26 I would like to think the deal will be done as there is little point in agreeing a fee without some thought as to what wages will satisfy the player.
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Brownie added 21:34 - Jun 26 Good news. Hopefully it is done & dusted soon and we add more quality to the squad.
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WorcesterBlue added 23:03 - Jun 26 As people have said get this done us Adeyemi or the Hibs midfielder and Taylor on a pay as you play. Possibly another striker (or Lawrence again) and I think we'll have a good season. Webster like a new signing and hopefully Bishop too if he rises to the challenge. Fingers crossed for two more decent signings 😃
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cobboldblue added 23:14 - Jun 26 Huws would be excellent and Taylor is (if fit ) class
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NBVJohn added 11:58 - Jun 27 So just to give a sense check on close season progress to date...... We have a striker, clearly coveted by MM, who has been signed at the second attempt. Good. We are on the verge of signing an exciting midfielder who supporters feel positive about. Good too. We have a young, up and coming midfielder, developed by our academy who has been selected for an England squad. Excellent. We have a highly rated winger, albeit for one season only. Decent. Some of the dross of previous close seasons has departed, never to darken our doorstep again. Progress. What MM has with Dozzel and Huws are players that fit the 5 point plan. Garner less so, but that's fine if it gives time for one of our own to be developed and blooded sensibly to ultimately replace him in 2-3 years time. All 3 players either commanded or would command a fee, are hungry, and have a point to prove, so that's an improvement in itself. My point is this - with Webster already in place, MM has a spine of decent players to build a team around, with Celina to support the process over the next year or so. Will he give them the opportunity to play their natural game, and play to their strengths? We could be really decent to watch if he does. By Christmas we'll know.

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