Boss Mick McCarthy is delighted with the start Brett Pitman has made to his Blues career and says the striker is an even better player than he thought he was when he signed him in the summer.
The 27-year-old joined Town from AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer and has scored two goals in four starts and two sub appearances so far this season.
"Brett’s excellent, I’m really pleased with him,” McCarthy said. "I’ve told him myself, he’s better than I thought he was.
"I always thought he was a good player, I wouldn’t have entered into discussions about signing him otherwise.”
It was McCarthy’s enquiry regarding Pitman’s availability which started the talks which ultimately led to Tyrone Mings joining the Cherries for a fee of £8 million with Ryan Fraser moving to the Blues on loan for the season.
"When I rang Eddie Howe and asked if he was available that started the ball rolling with the whole Tyrone Mings deal," he added. "I asked him about Ryan Fraser as well at the time.
"That started the ball rolling on that deal and I was delighted when we got him. But I’m even happier still when he’s trained with us because he’s a better player than I thought he was. And a great character, a lovely fella.”