David McGoldrick has made it clear he opted for Ipswich ahead of other suitors because Mick McCarthy is the manager at Portman Road.

The 25-year-old striker completed a loan move from Nottingham Forest and made his debut as a second-half substitute in Town’s 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat at Aston Villa last Saturday.

But McGoldrick, who has already agreed a two-year permanent contract from July 1st, could feature from the start at table-topping Cardiff this weekend.

He revealed he was not short of offers after a scintillating loan stint at Coventry in which he scored 17 goals in 26 appearances — but as soon as McCarthy made his move his mind was made up.

McGoldrick said: “It was all a bit crazy the day I signed because other clubs were coming in for me. But I chose Ipswich because I want to play for Mick McCarthy.

“I’ve really enjoyed my first week. The training facilities are great and the club look after you well, plus the other lads have welcomed me on board.

“I didn’t want to sit around and get stale, which would have happened if I’d stayed at Forest. The chance to join Ipswich, a massive club with a top manager, was too good to miss.”

McGoldrick hails from Nottingham and started out at County before joining Southampton, who received £1 million when he returned home to sign for Forest in June 2009.

He added: “It was a great move to join Forest but at the time they had six strikers — all good strikers — and it was hard to get into the team at times.

“Then there was a change of manager and I had a few injuries, which didn’t help. It’s time now to look forward. I’m an Ipswich Town player and hopefully I’ll be able to score lots of goals for the club.”

Photos: ITFC/Action Images

Photo: Action Images