Loanee Paul Digby says he’s loving life at Town and is learning more about playing centre-half all the time, having joined the Blues on loan from Barnsley until the end of the season in January, after spending time on trial at Manchester United last summer.
The 21-year-old has seen several of those he trained alongside at Old Trafford break into the Red Devils' first team and quickly making their mark this season.
"I had two weeks with United. That was unbelievable. I will remember the lessons from that for the rest of my life,” Digby told the club site.
"I played in a couple of friendlies and I reckon there are eight or so of the players that I worked with there that have played for the United first team this season - boys like [Guillermo] Varela, Marcus Rashford, Donald Love and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
"They are all good enough to play in the first team because they work so hard. It’s inspiring to see the boys there making their debuts in the Premier League.”
Having played most of his football in midfield while coming through the ranks at Oakwell, Sheffield-born Digby has been playing at centre-half for the Blues and says manager Mick McCarthy is giving him the benefit of his experience at the heart of the defence.
"I learned a lot at United and I’m doing that here as well,” he added. "TC and the manager have been brilliant with me, helping me with different parts of my game.
"They are pushing me all the time and I’m learning the role of a centre-half. The gaffer was a top centre-half and he is teaching me all the time. He is showing me the tricks of the trade. I’m loving it here.”
Former England U19 and U20 international Digby, who made his Championship debut as a late sub at Huddersfield, adding to his two starts in the FA Cup ties against Portsmouth, is likely to join the Blues on a free transfer in the summer if he continues to impress the Town management between now and the end of the season.