Blues boss Mick McCarthy says Burton midfielder Michael Kightly is a candidate for the best signing of his managerial career, having plucked the wideman from non-league during his time at Wolves. The Town manager confirmed that, as reported by TWTD at the time, he tried to bring Kightly to Portman Road last summer.
McCarthy took Kightly, who joined the Brewers on loan from Burnley in January, from Conference side Grays Athletic in November 2006, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent the following January.
The former England U21 international winger, now 31, became an integral part of the Wolves side which carried off the Championship title in 2008/09 and won promotion to the Premier League.
"Kights, he’s a standout candidate for signing of a career I would say - £25,000 from Grays,” McCarthy reflected.
"He was outstanding, he really was. The two wingers we had at Wolves the time were brilliant,Matt Jarvis, who, of course, is at Norwich now, was sold for about 12 million quid and Kights was for a lot of money as well.
"Michael Kightly, the first day he came in and trained two or three lads said ‘Who the hell is that!’. He lit the place up.
"I’m glad to see he’s back playing, he’s been missing a lot. I tried to sign him here for a while but it didn’t work and actually we took Tom Lawrence as well, so that’s been no hardship. But he’s been desperate to go out and play and he’s doing well now he is.”
McCarthy wouldn’t comment on January reports claiming he showed interest in Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow, who subsequently joined Burton and could face the Blues on Friday: "There’s no reason to tell you whether I did or I didn’t.”