Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s been delighted with keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s performances since he came into the side at Blackpool at the start of November. The Town manager says he has been equally impressed by the way Dean Gerken, whose groin injury led to the Pole getting his chance, has reacted to losing his place.
"He’s terrific, Bart, we’ve been delighted with him,” McCarthy said. "We were really thrilled when we got him.
"Marcus and I were talking about it, I knew we’d got two really good keepers. And really you could flip a coin and pick either of them.
"I spoke to Gerks on Saturday after the game and just thanked him for the way he’s conducted himself, because he was first choice but he’s been great.
"They both knows that if one of them slips up or they’re out with an injury, the other one gets his place and is likely to keep it. That’s great competition.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy was pleased with Jonny Parr’s performance during Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Middlesbrough. The Norwegian came in at left-back for Tyrone Mings, who was out with an infected toe.
"Jonny Parr was the first choice for a while,” he added. "He’s lost his spot but we know he’s dependable, very capable at left or right full-back.
"I’m sure he doesn’t want to be cover for either of them but sometimes it drops that way. I was delighted with him on Saturday.”
Mings is now over his toe problem and looks set to come back into the side which faces Brentford at Griffin Park on Boxing Day.