Manager Mick McCarthy has been pleased with keeper Scott Loach since he came back into the side after loanee Stephen Henderson was recalled by West Ham. Prior to Saturday’s defeat by Hull City, Loach had kept four successive clean sheets, including one in the victory over Middlesbrough during his previous stint in the side.

The Blues boss recently said that he wanted to see more arrogance and self-belief from the 24-year-old and feels the ex-Watford man has taken heed.

“He has [been fantastic since he came back in], “McCarthy said. “He’s done really well. I don’t mean arrogance in terms of how he speaks to people and deals with people, I’m talking about belief in his ability and being number one.

“If you’re the number one goalkeeper at a club I think you have got that little bit of something in your personality or character about you.”

He added: “He’s played well and you don’t just change like that and suddenly he becomes the devil incarnate with a big chip on his shoulder and arrogant. I’m not asking for that, it’s just how he plays on the pitch, and he’s done that.

“If he can develop himself to be that number one goalkeeper that believes in himself, he’ll be great.”

McCarthy has said he was looking at adding another permanent keeper to his squad in January but that as things stand the number one shirt is Loach’s to hold on to: “He’s got the jersey, hasn’t he? Keep it. Possession’s nine tenths of the law.”

Meanwhile, the Blues manager was happy with Anthony Wordsworth’s return from his back injury as a sub against Hull and says the January signing from Colchester adds some creativity to his side: “He does and he will be a good player for us, Woody. I’m very pleased with him.

“He was knackered at the end, he’s not had a lot of football, he missed about a month before he joined us, then he came and got injured immediately and he’s missed another six or eight weeks. It was good to have him back, he’s got good ability.”

It’s unlikely that the 24-year old will start against Palace this evening with McCarthy keen to not to over-exert him and cause further fitness issues: “The last thing I need is him getting injured. He’s got good ability, he certainly has.”

Photo: Action Images

oscarwhiting added 07:21 - Apr 16 Agree with mm, he has been making some good saves.
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BlueMachines added 08:32 - Apr 16 Great to have some quality on the ball with Wordsworth. Put in some great deliveries throughout his time on the pitch. Something we don't get enough from Martin and Cresswell isn't seemingly capable of.
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wkj added 09:39 - Apr 16 Loach really is coming up trumps- Hendo might be slightly stronger but I still feel loach is the man for the job!
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theobald1985 added 11:09 - Apr 16 well done scott loach he could be a long term no 1 for us. its down to micks decision in the summer now and i hope scott contiues to stake his claim
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masetheace added 13:43 - Apr 16 Still doesn't come off his line and dominate the box like a top class keeper should
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Earl60 added 15:03 - Apr 16 "Possession is nine tenths of the law" unless your name is N'Daw, and wasn't Loach dropped for Henderson as soon as he signed the first time
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Shaunfos added 08:41 - Apr 17 Earl60 he may have been dropped by MM the first and second time when henderson came in but n all fairness to him he has continued to apply himself and hopefully will claim the No 1 jersey for himself and with a bit more guidance from MM and TC he will develop even further and become a great keeper for us next season. If we can keep a settled back 5 then with a bit more in the midfield in the summer we can hopefully push on and finish in the top quarter of te table next season

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