Mick McCarthy admits that he doesn’t yet know loanee Bilel Mohsni’s best position. The Southend man, who has made five substitute appearances for the Blues during his three-month spell, was primarily a central defender with the Shrimpers but has also operated up front and in midfield.
McCarthy said: "I don’t know! You’re asking me something I don’t know and I haven’t found anyone else who actually knows. Billy doesn’t know himself!”
The French-Tunisian was the unlucky sixth domestic loanee left out of the squad for Tuesday’s game against Nottingham Forest but McCarthy says there are no thoughts about sending him back to Roots Hall: "He’s got to hang around until anything changes because he’s here until January. There’s nothing going to happen on that.
"We might get an injury to some of the loan players and he might have to be involved. Sadly, that’s the position we’re in, we’ve got those loan players and he has to miss out.”
Meanwhile, left-back Kelly Youga, who joined the Blues on a short-term deal recently, was involved in a practice match at Playford Road on Wednesday: "He’s doing all right," said his manager.
"He’s had a long-term injury. We had a bit of a game here yesterday amongst the players and he did OK.
"But that’s a shot in the dark, just a punt. If he gets himself fully fit and he can play, he will be an option. If he doesn’t, it’ll be nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Town are without an U21 game in which fringe players such as Mohsni and Youga can play — three overage outfielders plus a keeper are permitted — until they visit Charlton on January 14th and McCarthy says the club will be arranging some friendlies between now and then.