Boss Mick McCarthy says David McGoldrick’s unavailability during the final weeks of the season could give loanee Aaron Mclean a chance to impress. The 29-year-old, who is ineligible for today’s game against his parent club Hull City, has been told he can find a new club at the end of the season by Tigers boss Steve Bruce.
McCarthy has been pleased with the former Grays Athletic and Peterborough man since his switch in January, although feels he’s not been in top form in four starts and four sub appearances in which he has scored one goal.
"Aaron’s been great,” he said. "But he’s just not hit the heights that got him his move to Hull. But that can be for a lot of reasons, the fact that he hadn’t played, he’d been a bit-part player up there only getting substitute appearances.
"He did start for us at Cardiff and I thought he did well and it’s just not turned to gold for him and sometimes that happens.
"David McGoldrick’s been the better of them and I think in fairness David’s played better when he’s had a bit more strength and power and pace alongside him and certainly with Murph he’s enjoyed a decent partnership.
"But the season’s not finished yet and with David McGoldrick not being able to play that gives him a better chance [of impressing me].”
McGoldrick’s 93-day loan ended after last week’s win at Derby, although the Forest man will continue to train with the Blues for the remainder of the season and is set to sign a two-year contract on July 1st.
McCarthy feels his other frontmen can step into the breach: "I hope that he won’t be missed at all. He can’t play so there’s no point really discussing him or lamenting the fact that somebody can’t play.
"It’s the one who comes in and plays, let’s make sure that he plays well and we don’t miss Dids.
"I’m not dismissing David McGoldrick because he’s been excellent,” he added. "But he can’t play and that’s it.
"Of the others who can, I think Frank Nouble has done well when he’s come in, Murph has done well with any of them, whether it’s been with Chops, whether it’s been David McGoldrick.
"He’s ably assisted everybody he’s played with the bit more power and pace that he has and I think if Frank hadn’t got injured when he played against Peterborough, he would have stayed in the team.
"We’ve still got options and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is still around and he can play off the frontman. We’re OK, I hope we don’t miss him.”