Town boss Mick McCarthy says midfielder Anthony Wordsworth won’t be going out on loan to Rotherham, despite the League One club having made an enquiry. The 25-year-old will start for the Blues in Saturday’s home FA Cup tie against Preston.
McCarthy confirmed that he had heard from his Millers opposite number: "I’ve had that call, I’ve just tried to ring Steve Evans back because he’s left me a message, firstly, to say it wasn’t him that put it out and, secondly, to ask if he can have him. Well no, because he’s playing tomorrow. He’s involved my squad.
The Town boss, who had been looking to get the former Colchester man out on loan before the November deadline, believes the Londoner ought to do well in the system he has employed recently: "The way we’ve been playing with three midfield players would suit Woody more than it does at 4-4-2.
"I’ve had that discussion with him, to knuckle down, pull his finger out and give me a problem by playing well tomorrow.
"Because, if we’re playing with three in the middle, which has worked for us and playing against a lot of the teams now in the Championship it suits us better and he’s better employed in that system, so the reality is he’s got to give me a problem.”