Town recruit Cole Skuse was left speechless when he heard boss Mick McCarthy express the view that the ex-Bristol City midfielder was good enough to play in the Premier League.

McCarthy’s praise came last week, prior to the narrow weekend defeat at QPR, but Skuse had to rely on a pal to put him in the picture.

The 27-year-old midfielder explained: “I’ve actually thanked him for his comments. For a guy like Mick McCarthy to single me out and say I could play in the Premier League is flattering.

“A friend of mine sent me a message and said ‘Have a look at this, it’s very touching’ and after I saw it I was stuck for words really. I don’t know what to say but it’s very, very flattering.

“It gives you a massive confidence boost, especially when you have come into a new club and you’re trying to find your feet, impress and do your bit.

"For him to single me out this early on and say what he did really is unbelievable. So, once again, thank you gaffer.”

He says a top flight club did consider an approach earlier in his career: “There was a little bit of interest from Reading a few years ago when they were in the Premier League and Steve Coppell was the manager. But nothing got as far as me going to meet them.”

McCarthy originally made a move for Skuse in January but was rebuffed by the midfielder’s hometown club Bristol City.

The player says he knew about the interest and could understand why Robins boss Sean O’Driscoll wanted to hold on to him as they battled for their Championship status: “I was aware, the manager at Bristol City told me that Ipswich and another club made an approach.

“They weren’t in a position to let me go, I was trying my utmost to keep them in the league at the time, so I wasn’t ready to kick up a stink, I wanted to keep them in the league, but the way it’s panned out has been good.

“They’ll always be my team, I’ll always be a fan. Just because I’ve moved clubs doesn’t mean I don’t support them any more.

“I always keep my eye out for them and I speak to a lot of the boys who are still there and a lot of members of staff. It was a massive, massive part of my life so I can’t just forget it.”

Skuse, who signed a three-year deal following City’s relegation with his Ashton Gate terms up, would like nothing more than to prove McCarthy’s Premier League prediction correct and is confident of helping Town to secure a return to the top flight during his time at Portman Road.

He added: “We all have our own individual goals and our collective goal is to finish in the top six and do our bit to push on to the next stage where the staff and the fans, not just the players, want to be.

“I’ve signed a long contract here and if there’s no quick fix it’s not a big drama for me. I’m here to see out my time and be a successful player in that time.

“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be in the top flight. I know I could say that all day. I could say it in interviews just to say what people want to hear but I’m saying it because I mean it.

“The positivity, the whole atmosphere around the place and the place in general is fit to be in the Premier League. We’ll see — football’s a funny game.”

Meanwhile, he expects Leeds, who will be making their first visit to Suffolk since ex-Reading boss Brian McDermott replaced Neil Warnock, to figure in the end-of-season promotion mix.

He said: “The manager they have brought in is similar to the one we have here in that he’s been there, done it and worn the tee shirt. He sort of knows the league, he’s got a very good squad and they’re a very hard team to break down.

“But if we can replicate the performance we’ve shown in the first three games, and particularly the one at home to Millwall, there’s no reason why we can’t win the game.”

Photo: Action Images

WorcesterBlue added 06:37 - Aug 23 Nice to hear a Manager say an English player is good enough for the Premier League - looking at the shameless purchase of foreign players by the Prem clubs this summer you'd have thought we didn't have any? So glad to be a town fan...
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bluefeast added 07:01 - Aug 23 Whilst we cant judge this team until circa 10 matches , I don't see us getting anything from the Leeds game. They have a lot about them in terms of work ethic as do we , but the front 4 they operate with have pace and exceptional movement.
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dalianwasexciting added 07:57 - Aug 23 Bluefeast - Do you ever post anything positive on here?
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rob7423 added 08:11 - Aug 23 Another home win this weekend I hope, if we show the work ethic we have shown in the last couple of games, we should get a win, hopefully Murphy will get on the score sheet, once he scores one or 2, he may get 15 plus this season which is what we need!
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Blue_Armee added 08:58 - Aug 23 Great to hear these comments, Mick is a very clever manager, giving his players confidence. We are lucky to have him.
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shiminywho added 09:32 - Aug 23 Cole Skuse is a family man and clearly has a very happy and fulfilled home life which, in my opinion, makes for a greater chance of success on the football pitch. I mention no names but several former players did not enjoy such privileges, hence their unsettled time on the pitch. He sounds like a genuinely nice, honest and hard-working guy and I wish him every success at Town.

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meekreech added 09:35 - Aug 23 Bluefeast has a need to record a record down score to prove to his budgie friends he is as retarded as them !!!
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bluefeast added 09:44 - Aug 23 Whether a post is deemed positive or negative it can only ever be opinion ,given the mass of minus I get my opinion isn't generally agreed with. If you feel our front four players have done the business this season so far then im clearly blind having watched all of our matches. Tabb ,working hard but is not a wide player lacks pace. Edwards ,to laid back and sloppy with distribution ,Murphy ,lacks movement and pace to get into regular goal scoring positions. Magoldrick quality in possession , great movement ok pace but his good work being done in isolation. Just my opinion.

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LankHenners added 11:29 - Aug 23 Every time I see/hear an interview with Skuse he comes across as a very intelligent, honest person which must be a big plus to have someone like him at the club. Hopefully he'll be fit to play tomorrow as he looks like a leading figure in our midfield.
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AdScHi9678 added 11:56 - Aug 23 For us to push on up the league this season we need the full backing of the supporters, and that means that needless negativity just for the sake of it is not welcome. We seem to have a good team spirit, and a decent enough squad, and I think it will be that spirit and that support, rather than individual egos and flair players etc. that will drive us on to (hopefully) success this season.

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ChrisMakin2012 added 12:36 - Aug 23 He's good, really good. But premier class? Who are we kidding?
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greenkingtone added 13:06 - Aug 23 McCarthy is a man builder. I wish I'd worked for him.
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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 14:17 - Aug 23 Bluefeast....while Leeds my have a good front 4,do we or do we not have smith & chambers..imo the best central defensive partnership outside the prem, Along with Cresswell the best left back outside the prem & better than most in it , also Hewitt last weeks mistake aside for winning goal will be talked of in the same breath as cressy in a years time..2-1 win for the blues tomorrow,in fact with 3 home games & only a poor birmingham side away in next 4 matches come 21.45 Sept 17th i expect us to be top 4-5

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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 14:21 - Aug 23 in other words all good teams are built on a strong defence of which ours is now up with the best..get that sorted & the rest usually takes care of itself..instead of having to score 3-4 to win, 2 goals and more often than not 1 will be enough 9 times out of 10 to secure 3 points
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dalianwasexciting added 15:39 - Aug 23 Bluefeast - your spelling and grammar is as bad as your judgement and beliefs!
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BobbyBlueLamb123 added 01:37 - Aug 24 Why do lots of people on here get angry at some of Bluefeasts remarks He said he has seen all Towns games so far so deep down he must be a Town fan I think he come on here to wind us all up and he seem to be winning You like to see the minus score next to your name don't you Bluefeast you old wind up merchant Just for the record I would like to know your what your worst minus score is and have you ever had any plus marks Look forward to see what you have to say when we beat Leeds Watch this space LoL

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