Manager Mick McCarthy says he has no immediate plans to send striker Paul Taylor out on loan despite the 25-year-old being in need of games as he continues his comeback from the serious foot injury which sidelined him for 11 months following his move from Peterborough.
Taylor started the Capital One Cup tie at Stevenage and has made two sub appearances in the Championship — fleetingly at QPR before being replaced himself — in addition to games for the U21s.
McCarthy says he needs to play matches but that the opportunity hasn’t arisen in recent weeks.
"More than anybody he needs minutes on the pitch but it’s not fallen right for him,” he said.
"Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for me the team’s playing well and he just can’t get on. We’ll just have to keep monitoring that one.”
The Town boss currently isn’t considering sending him out on loan to get those games with another club: "I haven’t got a squad big enough really. I don’t know, we’ll see.
"I’m saying he needs minutes but how do you get them? Play in the U21s? They’re not great games, to be honest with you. They’re not as competitive as they should be. But he’s training well, we’ll see. I’ll keep a close eye on that one.”
He says returning frontman Alan Lee, like Taylor, is waiting in the wings for his chance if it comes: "He’s been training well, he just continues to get fitter and better. He’s OK.
"Paul Taylor hasn’t had a chance to get on the pitch, so it’s unlikely for Alan at the moment as well, just because of the way we’ve been playing.”
McCarthy believes Lee, who is primarily at the club to begin his coaching career with the academy but recently signed non-contract terms, still has something to offer, despite having turned 35 last month.
"I don’t think he’s going to be running down channels and running around all over,” the Town boss said. "But he keeps the ball up the pitch. He doesn’t allow the ball to come back easily.
"I don’t know if he could do that for 90 minutes, but he’s a good target and he’s got a goal in him. Certainly if you put crosses in the box he’s very good in the air.”