Boss Mick McCarthy says recruiting the right players over the summer is crucial if the Blues are to push on into the top six next season. Town ended 2013/14 in ninth, four points off the play-off places.

“To do that, recruitment is vital for us,” McCarthy told the club site. “We won’t be rushing into anything and signing players straight away.

“That doesn’t happen because clubs don’t want to pay out for players early in the summer when the season doesn’t start until August.

“We are beavering away, looking at getting in the best in free transfers and Bosmans. There are good players about in that area but we won’t be the only club looking at that.

“There might be a swap deal to be done somewhere. We have been very proactive and calculating in what we are doing, which is trying to improve on the squad.”

Meanwhile, former loanee Jonny Williams continues to be linked with a summer switch to Swansea City. The 20-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder says he’s aware of the Swans’ interest with the prospect of a £4 million move having first been mooted last month.

"I spoke to my agent who says [Swansea] were interested," Williams said. "I need to play football, preferably at Palace, but if not I'd have to consider playing elsewhere.”

Town boss McCarthy has said he would be interested in signing the 20-year-old Wales international on loan again next season if he were to become available.

Elsewhere, ex-Blues striker Michael Chopra has revealed that he is to join a club in the Indian Super League following his release by Blackpool. The 30-year-old failed to net in six starts and 14 sub appearances for the Seasiders last season.

Former Town manager Roy Keane has left his role as an ITV pundit and will reportedly joining the coaching staff at Aston Villa.

Keane, who has ruled himself out of the running for the Celtic manager’s job, is expected to take the role as Paul Lambert’s assistant at Villa Park alongside his current position as Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland deputy.

Photo: Action Images

Steelmonkey added 10:38 - Jun 4 Lucky old Villa Lucky being he's not fully in charge.
1

PremierBlue added 10:49 - Jun 4 Let's hope McCarthy has the ability to spot and attract the right players for us. Who can resist the combo of Ipswich, McCarthy, good money and more. Play off or promotion is our next logical step. COYB
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ArnieM added 10:52 - Jun 4 ...."swap deal"....really? Now I wonder who that might be? Cresswell. .....and Williams?
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meekreech added 10:53 - Jun 4 Any news on Henshall ?
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1RWR added 11:04 - Jun 4 I quite like the fact that Villa kept faith in Lambert & his use of youth players, but I wouldn't wish Roy Keane as assistant to any club.......................................well, maybe just one club, not far from Portman Road & up the A140 a tad! ooops too much information! Keane took our club backwards by years and only now are we starting to recover........poor old Villa!

6

TractorCam added 11:18 - Jun 4 Chopra to join a club in the Indian super league, i called that he'd go to asia!
1

gazzmac4 added 11:22 - Jun 4 Wingers and creativity in the middle of the park please Big Mick! Also get some of our best players on new contracts too (DMcG and Chambo etc). Don't want to lose them for free in the future!
2

Surco72 added 11:42 - Jun 4 How about Marc Albrighton ..MM released by Villa , always thought he looked a good prospect ?
2

unknown100 added 11:44 - Jun 4 Saw the list of premiere league free transfers and some good midfielders, probably higher wages but for no transfer fee, could justify it, Robert koren, dikgacoi from palace and jack collision, even Matty fryatt could be worth a look
0

OldClactonBlue added 11:45 - Jun 4 I'll be able to watch football on ITV again then, good. I trust that they'll replace him with someone who knows what he is talking about.
1

BlueandTruesince82 added 11:48 - Jun 4 I hear Hull want to keep fryatt and that Leics are in to take him back. As per last season though with all the freebies around why lay out big fees. I would rather see it put towards wages which I think is a big factor these days Williams for cressie all day if pulis sticks around, with fat relegation avoidance clauses. With them there I think they will consolidate their position

0

Jimmy86 added 12:07 - Jun 4 Surco thats a good shout, but believe has already signed for leicester. We need more creativity and goals from midfield and also pace out wide to really kick on next season. We have built a solid platform and have progressed, but we really need to kick on next season. Ideally keep cressy, if not sell him for a reasonable fee, not below 3 million and use that moneyto strengthen

0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:33 - Jun 4 ArnieM- could be Cresswell but I think more likely to be Taylor. All sounds promising though, July could be interesting month. Michael Chopra - what a wasted career.
1

ArnieM added 12:50 - Jun 4 Forgot about him. Good shout. Taylor for that other striker at Posh with a name I cant pronounce or spell.
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Surco72 added 12:53 - Jun 4 jimmy you are right about Albrighton .. what about Orlandi released from Brighton or has he been snapped up too ? Obviously some clubs don't mind paying for players early to ensure they get good players ?
0

essexboy added 12:56 - Jun 4 Assembolonga.!!!!
0

Surco72 added 12:58 - Jun 4 Get Ambrose and Bent back !!
3

algarvefan added 13:02 - Jun 4 Where has the investment of the now all but silent Marcus Evans gone?? If ever there was a right time to invest after this seasons achievement (and it was an achievement ) it's now to allow for Mick to push on for a top six finish. From the way Mick is talking it looks like all free's and Bosmans again!!
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Suffolk_n_Good added 13:46 - Jun 4 Would love us to have the money to splash around, but clearly that isn't the case, however I have complete faith in McCarthy, if anyone is able to bring in a diamond for the cost of a stone it is him, I think sometimes we forget that the relegated clubs are awash with money, unfortunately we just cannot compete with these, mark my words, McCarthy will have an ace up his sleeve, he's a canny guy, in Mick we trust!

3

BlueBadger added 13:50 - Jun 4 Not like Keane to let someone down on the eve of a World Cup.
2

London_Blue added 14:17 - Jun 4 Albrighton's already signed a five year contract with Leicester!
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Fen69 added 14:36 - Jun 4 Neil Alexander on a free from Palace aswell, Please Mick?
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ArnieM added 14:46 - Jun 4 Thats the one essexboy!
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Jimmy86 added 14:54 - Jun 4 Some clubs might not mind paying for players early but I can see why we are waiting a little longer, there will still be decent players available though, for sure
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:03 - Jun 4 Until Shaw leaves Saints we cannot sell Cresswell so no money to do anything
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