Boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll be surprised if there isn’t interest in ever-present left-back Aaron Cresswell over the summer. The 23-year-old, who has played every minute of the Blues’ season so far, lashed home Town’s goal of the season during Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Portman Road.
McCarthy says he saw something new in the former Tranmere defender during that game: "I learnt he can do that as well, he’s had enough attempts! The lads have been teasing him, saying it was a crossfield pass or a cross.
"He’s been excellent, he’s a really talented full-back. I believe there was interest in him last year and I’m not trying to sell my players, but I’ll be surprised if there isn’t interest in him this year because, since November, and I can only judge him on that, he’s been excellent. Outstanding."
Last summer Aston Villa made an enquiry regarding Cresswell's availability but didn't take their interest any further.
McCarthy says he expects him to play in the top flight at some point in the future: "He’s a Premier League footballer in the making, Cressy.
"He’s got good pace, he’s got a good left foot, he’s proven he can defend, he can head it, he’s not the biggest but he’s a good competitor.”
McCarthy says he was watching Cresswell, who cost the Blues a tribunal set £240,000 rising to £520,000 in the summer of 2011, when he was at his previous club: "We looked at him with Wolves, our scouting system had looked. He’s been everything I would have hoped for and he’ll be attracting attention because he’s a good player.”
The Blues boss says it will be quite an accomplishment if the Liverpudlian, who is contracted to Town until 2015, does play every minute of the entire season: "It would be quite an achievement, I didn’t realise that. It would be fabulous for him.”