Boss Mick McCarthy believes striker David McGoldrick and midfielder Cole Skuse are both capable of playing in the Premier League.

The Town manager has been delighted with 26-year-old McGoldrick since he joined the Blues initially on loan in January before signing a two-year deal after joining on a Bosman following his release by Nottingham Forest in the summer.

“He’s been a really good signing,” McCarthy said of his 12-goal top scorer. “He was when he was here on loan and he’s just got better. He’s continued to develop and he’s been a really good signing for us.

“I think if players are playing well and excelling in the Championship that’s what people start looking at — can they play in the Premier League?

“Dids has certainly got the ability to play in the Premier League, I think all through his career he’s been looked upon as a really talented individual.

“For whatever reason he’s never really fulfilled it, he’s had fits and starts, I thought he was excellent for Coventry when we went and watched him and took him from there.

“Whatever he’s done, probably maturing and growing up and appreciating what he’s got, he’s a great guy in the dressing room and around the place and he’s an outstanding player.”

McCarthy has been similarly impressed with Cole Skuse, who also signed on a Bosman in the summer after leaving Bristol City.

“He’s terrific Skusey,” the Town boss added. “I think it was Sean O’Driscoll who said 'You know he’s a good player now, but when you get him under the roof and in the building you’ll know he’s a better player than you thought'.

"And that’s been the case. He’s a delightful young fella, he really is. I think he’s Premier League quality. I watch a lot of Premier League football and he can use both feet, he’s competitive, he’s quick, very athletic, he’s a good package.”

Photo: Action Images

BotesdaleBlue added 07:38 - Jan 7 I think most Town supporters will agree he is the best player we have had on our own books for years. Now is the time to offer him a new long term contract as he is only contracted to the end of next season. This should at least offer us greater financial protection if he were to depart to the Premiership.
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alexsmith111 added 08:23 - Jan 7 He'll be in prem next season, hopefully with us. Agree we need to get him on a new 3-4 year contract to cover us either way
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ChrisMakin2012 added 08:25 - Jan 7 McGoldrick, Chambers and Cresswell are, Skuse not so sure.
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JackITFC96 added 08:35 - Jan 7 I do agree with Mick but I've got to say I think chambers is hugely underrated and is our most consistent defender, I like Berra but if we get Stearman then I'd much rather see the back line that we played so well with last year, with the boost of gerken because he has been terrific
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itfckieren added 08:35 - Jan 7 McCarthy must be boosting Skuse's confidence here.. Can't say i've been impressed. At first i was hopeful but i think he has declined up until now
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BLUEBEAT added 09:12 - Jan 7 Not good for team spirit saying only 2 of the squad are good enough for the Prem, is it?
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Scuzzer added 09:42 - Jan 7 Oh dear....manager bigging up his players in the transfer window. Obviously we need a bit of money, hopefully we will ride out the window without losing anyone so that we can maintain a good chance of promotion.
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JimmyJazz added 09:44 - Jan 7 What is the advantage of saying this at the start of the January transfer window? Does MM want to see someone come in for them? By all means boost player's confidence - maybe at the start of February?
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muccletonjoe added 09:58 - Jan 7 None of our players are premier league class , who are we trying to kid here , have you watched the last couple of games ?
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Beattiesballbag added 10:41 - Jan 7 muccletonjoe added 09:58 - Jan 7 None of our players are premier league class , who are we trying to kid here , have you watched the last couple of games ? If a certain donkey by the name of Smalling who stands & watches as his opponents jump & head balls into the net (for club & country) is premier class, Tommy Smith must be world class!!
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Garv added 11:28 - Jan 7 Cole Skuse athletic? Hmm.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 11:49 - Jan 7 This is true, who are we kidding? Look at Burnley or Leicester players
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 11:51 - Jan 7 Not sure Skuse is Premier standard but I think last Saturday shows how important he is to us. We missed him hugely in the middle and I think has been an excellent signing. McGoldrick just lacks a bit of pace, and that may well put off PL suitors, but that's great news for us, as he is the most intelligent forward player since Counago, and hopefully can be our first striker to hit 20 goals in years.

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TimmyH added 12:02 - Jan 7 Skuse does all the basic things well - his short passing is crisp, quite a good tackler and also reads the game quite well but Premiership class? I don't think so, I think basically he's just the diamond in the rough or the pearl in the murky North sea (our midfield). McG lacks pace as mentioned above and not that good in the air but we know he likes getting a first time shot off quickly which is his strength again Premier class? - maybe closer.

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blueherts added 13:29 - Jan 7 I think Skuse is the only midfielder who seems to look to get his foot on the ball and most of his instinct is forward , looking for the outlet - I think Defence and Strikers are fine but we are crying out for someone else in the middle with a little more creativity I think Skuse , Tunnicliffe and Hunt would be a decent three D McG is stand out above the others - we have a first team capable of competing but we need afew more on the bench .

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yorksblue added 13:44 - Jan 7 Most intelligent since Counago.......Speaks volumes about the differing views on Counago.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:31 - Jan 7 yorksblue - i take it you weren't a fan then ? - i know he was a 'marmite' character, but for me he was under valued and under played by some of the managers here. He too lacked pace but had a great football brain and was very creative, as well as knowing where the net was. (21 in 2002/03 i think when first choice striker) For me could have played the Taarabt role that served QPR so well in this league, playing behind the front two. He an McGoldrick are not dissimilar, DM has a better shot and PC was better with his back to goal but both exciting players who i love/d watching.

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miltonsnephew added 15:22 - Jan 7 Oh dear, chopra in trouble again!! Fined 2 weeks wages and aren't I glad we got rid??? He's played 17 games and still hasn't scored!! In mick we trust, this guy totally knows what he's doing!! Good work Mick!!
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LiamCP123 added 15:29 - Jan 7 In my opinion both of them are premier league players. Even Cresswell, Murphs, Taylor, Smith, Berra.
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yorksblue added 17:22 - Jan 7 Dozzel - Although I don't agree with you, I can't fault your positive argument.
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blueboy1981 added 18:08 - Jan 7 ....... best in the Championship, should / could be playing in the Premiership, etc; etc; - if our players are that good lets see them throwing away far, far, less leads than they have a habit of doing over recent times. Talk is always cheap - actions always speak louder than words (written or spoken). Then I'll start believing it.
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blueboy1981 added 18:28 - Jan 7 ........ and you'd all smell the coffee real time IF we were to get promoted with this squad - wouldn't bare thinking about. Would certainly sort the men from the boys.
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blueboy1981 added 18:29 - Jan 7 .... for the usual few - it's called being REALISTIC.
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muccletonjoe added 18:42 - Jan 7 Well of course it. Is blueboy, I take it the answer to my previous question is No , but the fact is we did struggle against a league one side , if we have got players who are premier class they do a good job of keeping it off the pitch.
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theblueginger added 19:01 - Jan 7 I think they would both suit several current prem teams at this moment in time, while Chambers and Creswell are up there as well.
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