Town boss Mick McCarthy says the likes of Luke Varney and Tommy Oar getting a game under their belts was the main positive to take from Saturday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Portsmouth at Portman Road.
Varney, 33, was starting his first match since returning from the ruptured achilles which sidelined him from May until December.
"That was great,” McCarthy said regarding the former loanee from Blackburn’s return to his XI. "I was asked what pluses you can get out of the game, well that was one of them.
"He needed the game. He said for 20 minutes he felt like somebody had put sand on the pitch. I get that, he’s just coming back.
"But he played most of it and he got better and stronger, so that’s a real asset for us. It was lovely to see the lads who have been out long-term coming back and playing. We now need to get The Bish back as well.”
McCarthy felt winger Tommy Oar - who scored his first Town goal in only his third start since joining the Blues in the summer - put in a nervous performance and believes there’s plenty more to come from the Australian international.
"I just had a word with Tommy, he looked nervous and he said he was,” the Town boss added. "He came from Utrecht, he’s played in the Eredivisie and played well there.
"He’s better than what we saw of him on Saturday. Sometimes you don’t have the best game but you score the goal and it’s a real contribution.
"He’ll get better Tommy, he needs games, he’s another one who hasn’t played much football having had two really frustrating injuries.”
New loan signing Paul Digby made his debut against Pompey and McCarthy says it’s important for bosses to always have an eye on the long game as well as short-term success.
"I believe I’m going to be here for a long time, so there’s no point in just thinking to the end of the season,” he continued.
"And, of course, as a manager, you never know whether that’s going to be the case, whether that’s through my own design or somebody else’s. That’s always the case.
"But if you just plan for now, that’s completely wrong. I’ve got to look beyond that and I think Paul Digby, he did all right in the game.
"He’s not played since October, he came in and I thought he competed really well and I think he’ll make a centre-half for us, and I’m pleased with him. I’ve got to keep planning for beyond.”
While the replay with Portsmouth at Fratton Park a week today wasn’t something McCarthy was hoping for, he says it gives the likes of Varney, Oar and Digby another opportunity to play and get themselves nearer to full match fitness.
"It’s now only 10 days before the next game, we’re not waiting six weeks or two months before they get a chance because they can’t get in the team.
"So if that ends up being the team at Portsmouth, who’s to say it will, it’ll be good for them.”
Reflecting on the January transfer window, McCarthy reiterated that he feels he’s unlikely to be able to sign better players than he’s already got.
He said: "Tell me where I’m going to get better than Murphy, Sears, Varney and Pits or Ryan and Ainsley, Tommy Oar, Skusey, Dougie, Luke Hyam’s come back, he looks great, he’s been terrific coming back, Kevin Bru.
"It isn’t happening. I’m not getting better players. Unless I go and spend £2 million and that won’t be the case and, do you know what, even then I’m not always convinced that they’re better than what we’ve got.
"The transfer window’s not bothering me in the slightest. Whatever anybody else does, let them get on with it.”