Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry has revealed that Town made an enquiry regarding former loanee Tyrone Barnett prior to his switch to Bristol City yesterday.
McCarthy made the 28-year-old one of his first Town signings when he joined on loan in November 2012 but the former Crawley frontman’s spell was curtailed by a posterior cruciate ligament injury a month later after only two starts and one sub appearance.
"Mick McCarthy spoke to us about him, he spoke to Mick, but Mick only wanted to take him on loan,” Fry told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"But Bristol City came in, they only wanted to take him on loan, but he’s been there for a week talking about things and he’s gone there on loan until June 30th with a view to a permanent deal on July 1st. I think it suits all parties.”
Barnett may have been viewed as potential cover for Daryl Murphy, who has been suffering with a thigh strain and was due to undergo a scan earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Hull City winger Cameron Stewart, who had been linked with a loan to the Blues amongst a host of other Championship clubs, has joined Leeds United having recently completed a spell at Charlton.
The 22-year-old has moved to Elland Road on an initial 93-day loan and will sign permanently on a three-year deal in the summer.