Town boss Mick McCarthy has played down reports that his former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is close to joining the Blues, but doesn’t rule out a future move for the 27-year-old, a free agent following his summer release from Molineux.

The one-time Manchester United trainee is currently sidelined having suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage during the latter stages of last season.

McCarthy, who was the manager who took Ebanks-Blake from Plymouth to Wolves for a fee of £1.5 million in January 2008, says he’s made no approach for the striker, although he has been in contact with him.

“I spoke to Sylvan a few weeks ago to see what he was doing,” he said. “I rang him up while I was in the car and had nothing else to do, I was driving home.

“He’s waiting until he’s fully fit. He had a really nasty injury and I rang to see how he was doing and to encourage him, that’s all. He’s not coming here.

“I’d love him to, don’t get me wrong. If I could, I would, if he was fit and we could do it, I’d have him here tomorrow. But that’s not the case.”

Asked whether the money side of a potential deal was a factor, he said the matter wasn’t talked about: “I’ve never discussed budget because he’s not doing anything until he’s fit. There’ll come a time, I’m sure when he has to [decide].

“He’s getting his treatment at Wolves at the moment. The problem is that when he gets fit I don’t think anyone at Wolves is going to give him any game time.

“Contractually they’ve got to get players who are injured and then come out of contract fit and ready to play, but there’s nothing in that to say they have to play them anywhere.

“So, he has to get some game time. Who knows where he will end up? If I can get him down here, I will, but it’s not been about money, it’s not been about whether he wants to come, he’s not ready to. And do you know what? There’ll be a helluva a lot of takers when Sylvan’s fit.”

He added: “Sylvan was a great signing for me. If I could sign him when he’s fit, I would. But let me tell you, the rest of the Championship, the other 23 clubs would be saying exactly the same. And some of the Premier League, I would have thought.”

McCarthy says his history with the Cambridge-born frontman could potentially be in Town’s favour when it comes to any future approach: “Yes, it would, all things being equal, depending on where we are in the league, how many points we’ve got, what’s happening. Of course it would because I’ve got a good relationship with him.

“If I hadn’t I wouldn’t pick the phone up and ring him. But, as you’ve seen with Hunty, I’ve got a good relationship with all the players that I’ve ever worked with. Well, there might be one or two, but that cuts both ways, of course! But in the main, I’ve got a good relationship with them.”

Photo: Action Images

Greektractor added 06:21 - Sep 28 Shouldn't use your phone whilst driving...
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Greektractor added 06:21 - Sep 28 Shouldn't use your phone whilst driving...
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bbkingsumday added 06:53 - Sep 28 Wherever SEB ends up (and I hope it is with us) fair play to Mick for taking the time to phone him and encouraging him.
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craigyboy10 added 07:06 - Sep 28 Micks just a class above not only is he being caring! But he's keeping his progression well in his thoughts, I really wouldn't be surprised of he's here in January which to be honest I hope he is
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muccletonjoe added 07:20 - Sep 28 Hope he goes elsewhere then. I don't see him as the answer to our problems up front ..... Maybe we will see the answer today ......
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tractorboydan added 07:36 - Sep 28 I've been a long time admirer of SEB and would love to see a player of his type and ability in a town shirt. He's got goals in him, he's strong, has a turn of pace, previously worked with MM and we all know how well the strikers get on with TC in training (particularly someone that has worked with him before). I think Mick is being clever here, too. Giving SEB a call wasn't just being considerate, it puts the thought in to SEB's mind - the seed has been planted regarding the idea of coming to Town. Mick's right that most of the 23 other Championship clubs would be interested, but I think our having MM & TC gives us the edge on all of them & that only the lure of the Premier League would stop us IF we went in for him. Having said that, after that sort of injury and that length of time out I can't see Premier League clubs taking the risk on him.

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ChrisMakin2012 added 09:11 - Sep 28 Another one who got away
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Tractorog added 09:29 - Sep 28 I do enjoy reading his comments. Always entertaining especially his oblique reference to a previous failed manager here.
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Keaneish added 10:09 - Sep 28 Got away to where Chrismakin? He's a free agent...
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Michael11 added 11:46 - Sep 28 @tractorboydan I agree. Think he's been very clever here. There probably was genuine care for him but I think it was more of a call to see how long it would be before he can start training and playing again more than anything. Would he have rang him if he was still contracted at Wolves? I hope we do sign him when he's fit because I think he's just the sort of predator in the box that we're lacking at the moment.

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timspencero added 12:04 - Sep 28 SEB and McGoldrick is tasty
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Luggworm added 13:00 - Sep 28 My only worry is that players like SEB and Hunt are waiting to see who gets the Ireland job before committing to us. They might want to come here to play for MM but don't want to be here if MM moves on.
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NoelTheDub added 13:28 - Sep 28 SEB is a super player on this day but once again we are linked with a player who is coming back from a serious injury or has problems outside the game.Theres always a epic story to us getting a player when other teams just get them in.
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