Blues manager Mick McCarthy says clubs have come up with a variety of reasons why they won’t let their players go when he has made enquiries as he looks to add to his squad during the January transfer window.
McCarthy’s primary objective is to add to his options up front with Daryl Murphy having joined Newcastle in August, while a second striker is also thought to be on his radar with Luke Varney having moved on to Burton Albion this week with the 34-year-old’s short-term contract coming to an end.
Rotherham’s Danny Ward and Fulham’s Cauley Woodrow are believed to be top of his list with discussions believed to be ongoing.
The Town boss has also said he is looking to add to other areas of his squad, among them central midfield.
We understand Brighton’s Richie Towell is one of those being eyed, the Irishman having been unable to break into the Seagulls’ side since moving from Dundalk a year ago.
The 25-year-old made one FA Cup start and one play-off sub appearance last season, but one Championship match as an unused sub and two Checkatrade Trophy games for their U23s is the nearest he has come to the first team this term.
Goalscoring midfielder Towell was watched by Blues boss McCarthy in 2014 before he signed a one-year deal with Dundalk.
So far McCarthy has been unable to add anyone to his squad and at yesterday’s press conference said he didn’t expect to do so before Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Lincoln with clubs rebuffing their interest in players for a mix of reasons.
"So far we’re not having any joy, we’re just getting the same custard pies in the face,” he said.
Why is that? "I could give you a litany of reasons - they haven’t got their players, they’re looking to sign somebody in, they haven’t got a big enough squad, he’s in for cover, I’ve got an injury or a couple of African Nations [call-ups mean other players aren’t available], there are loads of reasons why.
"And they’re legitimate reasons why, I’m not giving them as excuses. All the reasons I would have used or have used in the past.”
January is notoriously a hard month in which to do business but McCarthy says sometimes the completion of one deal leads to movement on others.
"I think so and I also think that the ones who have got the player that people are wanting will be asking for the absolute maximum. I don’t blame them at all, as we would,” he added.
"And sometimes it gets near the end of the window and it’s almost inevitable that they’re going to go and then they do go for maybe a bit more than has been [offered] and a bit less than they were wanting and then it’s like a pack of cards going over when deals start to get done. But we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
It’s no secret that Town are after a striker with Murphy having moved on in the summer, does that mean clubs are upping their prices knowing the Blues’ situation?
"Yes, of course, and Luke Varney’s gone to Burton,” McCarthy continued. "That was always likely, though. When we signed him he was an emergency signing really, he answered the call.
"He’s scored a couple for us and he’s been great around the place as usual. I thank him for that, put that on the record, he’s been great.
"But we signed him to that date because we knew that would probably happen anyway because he wants to go back and be up near his family.”
When questioned on his interest in Millers frontman Ward, McCarthy has remained tightlipped: "I wouldn’t tell you if there was.”
He added: "I won’t talk about anybody else’s players because that’s grossly unfair. If there was a manager talking about David McGoldrick or Skusey or one of my players I’d be seriously upset with them. In fact the first thing I would do is ring him.”
Asked whether it is a case of watching this space for further developments, McCarthy said: "It is.”