Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he’d like to sign loan midfielder Jay Tabb on a permanent basis in the summer. The 29-year-old, who netted Town’s goal during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, is out of contract at soon-to-be-relegated Reading and says he’d be keen to stay on at Portman Road.

McCarthy told Radio Suffolk that he’s already spoken to the former Brentford and Coventry man about joining the Blues permanently in the summer: “I’m delighted [with him], he’s been a really good acquisition for us and I know he’s on a free, and I’d like to sign him. I’ve told him that. He’s really added something to us.”

Tabb himself doesn’t expect to be offered new terms by the Royals, despite the change of management since he joined the Blues on loan: “I don’t think they probably want me there, so I’ll assess the situation in the summer.

“This is a great club and I’d like to think I could probably end up here, but as a player you’ve always got to look at what’s on the table. But this would be a great option and if I’m an Ipswich player I’d be very happy.”

He says he’s enjoyed his spell: “I’ve had a great time here, the club are first class in the way they look after you, they put me in the hotel down on the harbour, which is really nice.

“It’s a nice training ground, really nice stadium, the fans are good, the manager, the players, everything’s good, so if I’m offered a contract then I don’t see why I wouldn’t stay here, it would have to take something special for me not to.”

Photo: Action Images

wkj added 12:40 - Apr 22 Seems as it's a free, i think this will be a good signing, especially seems as Martin doesn't seem to upbeat about the idea of signing a new deal.
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meekreech added 12:43 - Apr 22 Get the contract offer to him now and make it difficult for him not to agree ! Well worth a good offer as he has given us more in his loan spell than Martin has in all of his time here ! With him and Woody in the middle next year we will not miss Martin except for his ability to collect red cards .
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arc added 12:45 - Apr 22 One more point please, before we start these conversations...
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Guthrum added 12:53 - Apr 22 Wow, I didn't realise he was out of contract at Reading. Assumed they'd want him back once relegeted. Sign him up!
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HarryfromBath added 12:59 - Apr 22 "Top facilites", as 'arry would say. "Top, top faclities". Where would we be without them? This is terrific news. Tabb isn't just a great team player, he is a great squad player, and will play a huge role when the game come thick and fast next season. I really hope that we can do a deal to keep him here for two or three years.
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NITFC added 13:09 - Apr 22 Jay Tabb had a very good game on Saturday at Sheffield. I would be delighted if we signed him although he is not the playmaker that we so desparately need N'daw gets worse every time I see him and was shocking on Saturday. He's the one that needs to be replaced for me
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BotesdaleBlue added 13:10 - Apr 22 Mick says: “I'm delighted [with him], he's been a really good acquisition for us and I know he's on a free, and I'd like to sign him. I've told him that. He's really added something to us.” With Mick's excellent ability to judge a player, as both a footballer and a person, I think we must try to do the deal. From a supporter's perspective, I think he has been a very good addition and at 29, will add a little bit of experience and know how to the ranks, which is needed at all clubs.

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Lord_Mac added 13:26 - Apr 22 If there was - say - a 30% of us being relegated, I'd agree that it's premature, but sometimes you have to take a calculated risk. I reckon it's about a 1 in 8000 chance that we'll need an extra point, so a good time to open discussions - it wouldn't be sensible to miss out on important foundations of next year's team in the face of such an unlikely event.
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kerryblue added 13:34 - Apr 22 Hopefully we will sign him ,he has done well,Ndaw was doing well till off the pitch matters took over,It must be very hard for him to focus on playing football with all that going on in the back of his mind
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StuartBrett8 added 14:43 - Apr 22 I'd be happy with this :)
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irishtim added 15:29 - Apr 22 Yes would be a good addition to our squad. Works hard. Free transfer a no brainer.
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jas0999 added 15:37 - Apr 22 I guess his wage demands will be a deal breaker. There is no such thing as a free ... As there will be wages and signing on fees!
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oscarwhiting added 16:04 - Apr 22 Can we take another look at dj Cambell ???
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Marshalls_Mullet added 16:31 - Apr 22 Could see Leeds offering him a deal!!
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Seasider added 16:40 - Apr 22 When we played Wednesday at home it was like men against boys as the team Hutchings put out was the smallest(in stature)could remember. These days however regularly put out teams with 7 or 8 players at 6 foot or more;so a little un is fine,must remember that Messi is in this category,not that I think Jay Tabb is quite in his league.
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CavendishBlue added 17:18 - Apr 22 Can we really afford the Salthouse Hotel if we have as many loan players as we have ? Or is this is yet another case of bartering our empty season ticket seats.....
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Earl60 added 19:13 - Apr 22 So Mick has been discussing players futures, when he categorical said he wouldn't be until our Championship status was secured. Thought he was better than that
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RegencyBlue added 20:00 - Apr 22 No brainer for me. Quality player on a free. He reminds me of Mickey Stockwell with his work rate and certainly adds something to the squad. Sign him up!
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h32 added 21:25 - Apr 22 ..... as always in today's game - more often than not words are cheap and hollow - will yet again all come down to 'the offer' in terms of MONEY. My hunch is he will go to someone who offers him more - not holding my breath on a permanent signing with this one - unless no other interest of course !!
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:59 - Apr 24 this would be a good signing ,i think Mick is the sort of manager that players would want to play for and i think we will go into next season with a decent team,hopefully we wont need to be reliant on loan players and all the uncertainty that they bring. Shouldnt wish time away but im looking forward to next season and fresh start under Mick .
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