Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s delighted to have signed veteran keeper Paddy Kenny on a short-term deal until the end of the season and is keen to send 19-year-old Michael Crowe out on loan to gain experience. Kenny, 36, joined the Blues this morning having left Bolton at the end of a four-month contract yesterday.
"I’m delighted to have got him in the door, his experience,” McCarthy said. "We’ve been able to sign him to the end of the season.
"Whatever might happen, taking in to account that we could end up in the play-offs, we’re covered for that as well with a third keeper.”
He says Kenny has settled in well: "We’ve got an experienced squad. Judging by his demeanour, he brings a bit of banter and a bit of life to the place.
"He’s been great since he’s come in. He went to get his shirt, they said ‘What size do you want?’ and he said 'Small’ and that started the banter off.
"I love all that, it’s great. He’s trained with us today, he looks great. He’s certainly just what I remember of him in goal.
"I feel sorry a bit for our young fella Michael Crowe, but I need experience. It’s all right sitting on the bench and thinking they’re just back-up if they have to come on. But what happens if they come on after a minute? I need somebody who has played in the league.”
He says he’s talked to London-born, Norway-raised Wales U19 international keeper Crowe, who he’d like to gain first-team experience, but in the right environment.
"I’ve spoken to Michael this morning,” the Town boss added. "It’s easy for me just to dismiss the fact, he’s a young lad and I don’t have to talk to him, but I would never do that and he fully understands and he says he can learn off Paddy as well.
"He trains with the experienced keepers every day. And how do you get experience? I don’t think you get it when you’re playing at the top end of the league and being thrown in.
"That can make you but very often break you as well if you go in and it doesn’t go right. We could really do with him getting some experience elsewhere.”
With the Blues having been in talks with Leeds regarding the loan signing of striker Billy Sharp towards the end of last week, McCarthy says Town will continue to look for further additions to the squad.
"We are always looking,” said McCarthy, who refused to be drawn into commenting on the situation with Sharp when asked about the former Doncaster frontman at the weekend.
"We didn’t have enough subs on Saturday, but we’ve got Skusey and we’ve got Bish back, so we’ll probably have 19 or 20 players travelling down to Brighton.
"If we can add to the squad and strengthen the squad, then we’ll do it in our usual way.”
The Blues, Watford and Reading are interested in loaning 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, who recently returned from a spell with Burnley, according to the Daily Mail.
England U21 international Chalobah previously spend time on loan in the Championship with the Hornets.
Photo: ITFC