Boss Mick McCarthy says he knows his best team ahead of this afternoon’s friendly visit to Barnet (KO 3pm). Town so far have a 100% record in their pre-season matches.
McCarthy says he has a good idea who will be in his first XI come the start of the season proper on August 3rd: "There are three friendlies left, I know my best team, I know my best players.”
The Blues manager says the aims of pre-season remain as they were at the start: "I want to get them fit, I don’t want any injuries, I just want to play the games.
"I’d prefer to win them because it’s a good habit. They don’t mean anything, I know that, but it’s still better to win them. We’ll just play the games, keeping fit, getting match fit.”
McCarthy was hopeful that left-back Aaron Cresswell might be OK for the visit to the Bees’ new home, The Hive, after missing the match at Gillingham with a thigh injury. Overall, the squad is likely to be much the same as the one which travelled to Kent on Tuesday.
Frederic Veseli will play his first game since joining the Blues on a two-year contract with the option of a further season yesterday, probably at right-back.
Trialist Titus Bramble said he could well be involved against Barnet after the 2-1 victory over the Gills and Tottenham central defender Bongani Khumalo may play the third game of his trial with the Blues and Spurs in talks regarding a season-long loan.
Striker Paul Taylor is again set to miss out, although we understand that the ex-Peterborough man is now in full training with the rest of the squad and has been pencilled in to play at Colchester on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Blues continue to be reported to be close to the signing of ex-Wolves defender Christophe Berra with the deal perhaps being announced as soon as Monday.
Town were reported to be close to a deal more than a week ago following his release from Molineux. Blackpool are also understood to have made an approach after a move to Rangers broke down.
Speaking about Berra after the Crawley game McCarthy said he’d love to have him at Portman Road but felt money might be an issue with the Scottish international having to take a significant cut in wages: "He’s a free transfer and he’s a really good defender Christophe.
"If I could sign him, I’d be delighted. Whether we can afford to sign him, because he’ll have other offers, he’s a good player.
"But I like him, I signed him, for heaven’s sake, I paid £2 million for him and he helped get us promoted and helped keep us up for two seasons as well.”
The recruitment of Berra and Khumalo would give Mick McCarthy plenty of competition at the centre of the defence with Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith last season’s first choices. However, it would mean a deal to sign Bramble is unlikely.