Blues boss Mick McCarthy hopes short-term signing Kelly Youga can replicate the form he showed during his Charlton days and will fight Aaron Cresswell for the left-back role. Last week, the 27-year-old Central African Republic international put pen to paper on a Blues contract until January.

McCarthy says the deal came about after Youga had spent time training up the road at Colchester: “I’ve known Kelly because I watched him when he was at Charlton.

“He looked like being a really good player at Charlton. I really liked him, but he’s had an injury which has knocked him back and he’s been out for a while.

“We’ve got no real balance in terms of cover at left-back. I know Tommy Smith can play there, but he’s centre-half when all’s said and done, and we’ve taken him on a very short-term contract until January.

“If we can get him fully fit to play, he will give us a bit of balance and an option for something else that’s not a loan, which is important!”

Youga has played only 45 minutes of domestic first team football — during a spell with Yeovil last season - since November 2009 due to various knee injuries.

First he suffered a cruciate ligament injury, then in October 2010, just as he was set to return from that problem, he was diagnosed with a chondral defect in his knee, which required surgery and ruled him out for the rest of that campaign.

McCarthy says his spell with Town will be viewed as an extended trial:
“We’ve got no real options, so if we get a game out of him, I’d be delighted. We’ll have a look at him. We’ll get him fully fit. He gives me another option, one that’s not on loan, one that I can play if I need to.

“He might not play at all for us. He’s here until January. We’ve got to work on him and make sure we get him fit. He’s an option, which I hadn’t got before.”

He says he’s not concerned by Youga’s lack of games while in League One with Yeovil last season: “I’m not bothered about where he’s been. That’s all nonsense. He was doing great, then got injured and he struggled a bit. We’ll have a look and see.”

Ultimately, if all goes well, he wants him to battle Aaron Cresswell for the left-back position. Speaking prior to Saturday’s game at Leicester, McCarthy said he had been impressed with the former Tranmere man.

“That’s a challenge for him as Cressy has been excellent in the three games since I’ve been here,” he said.

“I know he was well fancied last year and I don’t know why his form dropped, maybe it’s indicative of when a club is having a bit of a tough time.

“The three games he’s played for me, he’s been excellent and if Kelly can play that well to get Cressy out of the team, it’ll be the signing of the century, let me tell you!”

Photo: Action Images

Duncan added 06:47 - Nov 21 I do love the way Mick McCarthy does not hang around moaning about what we haven't got - he's straight away brought in players in the right positions to add competition for places - basicly if your no good someone is there waiting to take your place - the only way is up!!
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Mr_Jingles added 08:04 - Nov 21 Assuming the headline is based on a Clint Eastwood film.... we could do with that sort of script to get us out of this hole !
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slowerball added 08:06 - Nov 21 Great headline Phil, well done. We didn't have fullbacks as cover, we do now. I like this no-nonsense approach.
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bluefeast added 08:35 - Nov 21 A manager with a plan. Fantastic
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bobble added 08:57 - Nov 21 the proof of the pudding is in............................. ...
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StuartBrett8 added 08:58 - Nov 21 I hope Kelly Youga becomes a town legend, it would be nice to unearth a gem and have some good fortune :)
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Kesgraveblue57 added 08:59 - Nov 21 Duncan I go along with everything you say
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irishtim added 09:15 - Nov 21 Rumours in ireland. MM to make a loan move for Kelvin Davies! Any rumbles over there?
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Popeye added 09:26 - Nov 21 Hardly a wake up call for Cressie because Youga isn't going to be fit for ages,if at all and may never play a game and then leave in January, so he is not really an option at all if he is never going to be available to play. After reading reports on Youga's performance in the cup game last week he could have easily got sent off so by all accounts more of a liability that Moshni! I admire MM for having a plan but not sure Hannibal Smith would make this one work!

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Pessimistic added 09:46 - Nov 21 Yes, I agree with Popeye. He is unlikely to be fit enough to make a real impact until after his loan spell ends in January so what's the point?
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Guthrum added 10:03 - Nov 21 Pessimistic - except he's not on loan (so doesn't count as one of the five domestic loan players limit in the matchday squad). Was a free agent prior to signing with us. As McCarthy said, he's effectively on a six-week trial (always thought these one- and two-week affairs weren't really long enough) and if he impresses, we can simply extend his contract, if not, we can just let him go.

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JewellintheTown added 10:38 - Nov 21 How about "Our Kelly believes we can fly (up the table)"? or "Our kelly: We need to Bump 'n' grind our way up the table". I'm here all day, Phil! ... can someone pass me my coat?
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