Town boss Mick McCarthy doesn’t expect to have any new faces in his squad ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Lincoln City at Portman Road, but says there has been loan interest in fringe defender or midfielder Paul Digby.
"I doubt very much we’ll have anybody in before Saturday,” said McCarthy, whose primary aim is to add to his strike force.
"We’re still looking for strikers and so far we’re not having any joy, we’re just getting the same custard pies in the face.”
He says he’s not had any other bosses calling him up about his senior players: "No, managers are not ringing me up. I get agents who ring me up and try and tell me that people are interested but I don’t take any notice of that because they’re just trying to drum up business.”
One player who there is interest in is 21-year-old Digby, who has recovered from the knee injury which had sidelined him in recent weeks.
"Diggers is fit, he’s training and there are a couple of clubs interested in taking him on loan and if the others are coming back fit I would consider that,” he said.
McCarthy paid tribute to Luke Varney, who joined Burton Albion on an 18-month deal yesterday with his Blues’ contract due to come to an end on January 12th.
"Luke’s been great,” McCarthy continued. "I think it’s been a pretty symbiotic deal, we’ve been good for each other because when he snapped his achilles against Norwich we looked after him and he was really grateful for that. I’m not sure too many clubs would have done that.
"And he’s repaid us, he’s repaid us with his personality around the place and his performances some important goals this season.”
Meanwhile, 20-year-old New Zealand international Monty Patterson has returned to the Blues at the end of his loan with Vanarama National League Braintree.