Boss Mick McCarthy says midfield trio Anthony Wordsworth, Stephen Hunt and Jay Tabb gave him something to think about with their displays during Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Bolton.
With Luke Hyam out injured and loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe having moved on, Hunt and Tabb started in a central three with Cole Skuse, who was replaced by Wordsworth in the 32nd minute after suffering a head injury.
McCarthy pulled out of a deal to sign a midfielder to replace Tunnicliffe on deadline day — almost certainly Paul Green from Leeds — and plans to look at the emergency loan market when that window opens for Football League clubs next Saturday.
The Blues boss hasn’t ruled out a return for Friday’s target but says other players may become available in the wake of clubs’ transfer window business.
However, he says Tabb, Hunt and Wordsworth did their case for more regular involvement at the centre of midfield no harm at all: "I think there’ll be clubs who have taken lots of players in who’ll be having a look and a change around.
"If I need somebody, there’ll be somebody but Tabby, Hunty and Woody have given me plenty to think about.
"I keep saying, I’ve got a good squad and Woody’s added to that today and it’s up to him.
"I thought Hunty and Tabby were different class, considering they’re both supposed to be wide lefties.
"I’ve got a good squad, I’ve not got a big one, but I’ve got a good squad, which is proven as we’re in seventh spot. But we couldn’t afford too many injuries, that’s for sure.”
McCarthy subbed Wordsworth towards the end because he was exhausted having recently missed a fortnight’s training due to illness and wasn’t considered for a start for the same reason: "He knew why he was coming off, he knew because he’s not had that much football.
"It’s only a few weeks ago, after the Preston game, that he ended up with tonsillitis and he didn’t train for two weeks.
"He came back and had a really hard week and must have thought he’d got a chance with the midfield a bit bare, but I said I needed energy, fitness and running power and he’s not going to give me that at the minute because he’s not up to it. He took it in the right way. It wouldn’t have bothered me if he hadn’t.”
Hyam is likely to be back from the gashed leg he suffered at Millwall in time for next week’s game at Barnsley, while Skuse is also expected to be fine for the visit to Oakwell with his head injury not serious.