Blues boss Mick McCarthy has told Stephen Hunt that he’d like him to stay at Portman Road beyond his current short-term deal, which is up in January. The 32-year-old joined Town early last month on a play-to-be-paid deal following his release by Wolves in the summer.

While no formal discussions have yet taken place regarding a longer term contract, McCarthy says he has spoken to the winger.

“Hunty’s great. I’ve told him I’d like him to stay,” he said. “He’s loving it here and we’re all enjoying having him here, so we’ll see.”

The Town boss believes Hunt, who has made one start and three sub appearances for the Blues, would like to remain at Portman Road, all things being equal.

“Hunty would love to stay if the circumstances are right,” he said. “Let me tell you, he’s done exactly the right thing. Not too many people have the nuts to do it, to come and sign for nothing, pay as you play.

“As I said to him at the time, if you play, if you get in the team, you’re in the shop window again, people see you.

“So, it might be that it's somebody else that takes him, they might offer him more dough, might offer him a better set of terms and conditions in a different area where he lives, I don’t know.

“But he knows he’s loved here, by me, by TC, by the lads and he would like to stay, but it’s not as easy as that.”

Meanwhile, Derby striker Conor Sammon, linked with the Blues in the Irish press earlier in the week, says he's happy with the Rams, despite currently being out of the starting XI: "I'm 100 per cent focused at Derby.

"I'm really enjoying it and the way we've been playing recently, it's been great to be a part of.

"I know it's a squad game. I'd love to be playing more but it's up to me to train hard and work hard and try to force my way in.

"That's definitely where my mind is and that's my ambition from now until the end of the season.

"I'm really happy at Derby and I'm enjoying challenging for my place in the team."

Photo: Action Images

LankHenners added 07:38 - Dec 7 Certainly seems like a breath of fresh air on the left, probably down to not having a proper left midfielder play there before. Would like to see him stay as he adds the energy we need in games. Hopefully, due to his relationship with Mick and TC, he won't be another Jimmy Bullard.
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trumpy added 07:39 - Dec 7 Absolute no brainer,sign him up.
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bluefeast added 09:06 - Dec 7 No reason then why we cant sign him to a longer contract straight away ,nobody else can talk to him until January.So get it done ,dont muck about and give him a 2 year deal.Simple and sorted then isnt it >!
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Tractorog added 09:26 - Dec 7 He is unlikely to sign until the last possible moment. Sounds like we're offering the lowest terms he'd accept so he will only join if he either has no other option or he is enjoying so much that the difference in wage is not enough to persuade him to leave. In his position I'd see what offers came in Jan I'm afraid.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 09:56 - Dec 7 Sell around 3 players just to keep him!
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bluemikey100 added 09:57 - Dec 7 he will sign only one player suprised we didnt sign was spearman
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KiwiTractor added 10:30 - Dec 7 Hopefully there's more to it than just money for Hunt. There's a lot to be said for enjoying the environment, having the fans behind you and playing well..... I wonder if DJ Campbell would like to turn the clock back?
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irishtim added 11:03 - Dec 7 At the right price we should. Hunty is loyal and appreciate what The Club & MM have done for him so i reckon he wont be greedy.
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muccletonjoe added 12:08 - Dec 7 Yeah agree , absolute no brainer.
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asamink added 12:50 - Dec 7 There is a slight problem of being £82m quid in debt. Makes the decision is little bit harder than a 'no brainer'. He won't be cheap.
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