Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll just have to put up with central defender Tommy Smith’s regular round the world treks to play international football with New Zealand. The 22-year-old missed most of last week’s Town training sessions as he was skippering the All Whites in China, where they drew 1-1 in a friendly.

McCarthy said: “I can’t do anything about that. I don’t get wrapped up in all that. That’s the way it is and we’ll have to manage it.”

The new boss brought Smith into his side for the first time when Burnley visited prior to last week’s international and McCarthy, a central defender in his playing days, says he liked what he saw: “I thought he played well. He got better and better in the game.

“When he started he looked like he’d been out and he was playing against Charlie Austin, who pulled it down, won a few headers, then he never had a kick after that. I thought Tommy played well.”

He believes Smith benefited from having Danny Higginbotham next to him: “It’s nice to have that experience alongside him, without any doubt. He’s been playing well, Danny. I’ve been pleased with him.”

After Saturday’s 6-0 hammering at Leicester, Smith could be in line for a return when Peterborough are at Portman Road on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the deadline for Football League clubs to sign players on so-called emergency loans is 5pm this afternoon.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 19:58 - Nov 22 100% agree Talbs - other people on here take note!
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Talbs77 added 20:40 - Nov 22 He looks the sort of lad that loses confidence easilly and lets not forget guys, he came into the 1st team when he was extremely young and he's still young, so lets get behind him and stick with him.
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TimmyH added 20:52 - Nov 22 When he first starting playing in the first 11 I think back in 2008/2009 I worked with a steward at PR and even then he thought he was a defo prospect, he's had his ups and downs since then but I think it's a matter of time before we get the 'right' cb partner (not sure if it's Chambers) and hopefully we will become secure in that position, fingers crossed for the future.

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bluefeast added 23:08 - Nov 22 why dont we sell all our players and then sign the good ones back on loan. Change our name to Ipswich Rangers , ie Loan.
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