Despite the disappointment of Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Brighton knocking his side off the top of the Championship, boss Mick McCarthy isn’t too downbeat going into the international break.

The Blues are now third in the table, having taken 10 points from their first five league games, with the Seagulls loss their first of the campaign.

“It’s disappointing but how long I dwell on it is another matter,” McCarthy said. “I tend to think about the other side of it. If we’d won [on Saturday], if we’d been on seven points and we’d won and we're finishing on 10 points but had lost somewhere else, we’d all be feeling great. But defeats just make you feel bad.

“But I don’t feel bad about my squad or how things are going here or the place. We’ll come back and we’ll take Reading on when we get back.

“We’ll have a break, all of us. Seven games in 21 days has been a tough old schedule. They’ve had the same I might add, so I’m not making that as an excuse. We need a break.”

McCarthy gave a surprise debut to new Polish signing Piotr Malarczyk at half-time, the Pole’s international clearance having come through in time for him to be included in the squad.

“He did some good things,” McCarthy said of the 24-year-old defender, who was recruited from his hometown club Korona Kielce.

“The pace of the game was really hard for him. He said it’s 50 per cent quicker than playing in Poland, but he’s got the tools to play at that level.

“And he did all right. He did fine. We were winging it and leaving two-v-two at the back and I would have thought that anybody that was doing that would have had a pretty tough time.

“And the last three days he’s been driving about, planes, trains and automobiles. He only came in here on Friday night, so if he looked a bit under par that’s probably my fault for putting him on the bench. But I wanted him there and it gives him a good start.”

The Blues confirmed the signing of Australian winger Tommy Oar on a two-year deal with an option for a third season on Saturday and the 23-year-old is one of a number of players on international duty over the next fortnight.

Oar, who has previously won 25 full caps, scoring two goals, and the rest of the Socceroos play World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh in Perth on Thursday and against Tajikistan in Dushanbe the following Tuesday.

Loan winger Ryan Fraser and recently signed keeper Jonathan Henly are in the Scotland U21 squad for their Euro 2017 qualifier against Northern Ireland at Mourneview Park, Lurgan next Saturday (KO 2pm).

Town’s other on-loan winger, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, will be with the England U19 squad for friendlies against Germany in Bergisch Gladbach on Friday and Croatia in Zagreb the following Monday.

Defender Josh Yorwerth and keeper Michael Crowe will be away with the Wales U21s for their Euro 2017 qualifier in Luxembourg on Friday, while winger Dylan Connolly is in the Irish U21 squad for a friendly against Qatar on Friday and a Euro 2017 qualifier in Andorra four days later.

Midfielder Adam McDonnell will be with the Republic of Ireland U19 squad for a friendly against Italy in Cava de’ Tirreni on Monday 7th September.

Strikers David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy have been forced out of Ireland’s games due to groin and calf problems respectively, while Christophe Berra misses Scotland’s games due to his hamstring injuries.

Midfielder Kevin Bru was named in a provisional Mauritius squad for their African Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Mozambique but the midfielder won't be involved having been out with a hamstring injury.

Tommy Smith was left out of the New Zealand squad for their friendly against Myanmar in Yangon.

“With injury, squad balance and travel distance also considerations for this one-match trip, we opted not to include Chris [Wood], Ryan [Thomas] and Tommy for this game,” coach Anthony Hudson explained.

Jonny Parr, who is on the way back from the thigh problem he suffered in pre-season, wasn't in the Norway squad, while Jonas Knudsen was left out by Denmark.

Photo: Action Images

JohnyJohnson added 06:40 - Aug 31 10 out of the 18 squad involved on sat are new faces to the team from last year. They will need time to bed in. Time for regrouping and injury recovery now ready to push on for the next million or so games
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parhamblue added 07:23 - Aug 31 Would be better for us if Bru played if he's recovered. We have to use the international break to get the injury list down, mainly by treatment, fitness training.
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muccletonjoe added 09:02 - Aug 31 I think st least Bart, bru and Murphy will be back for reading , the starting eleven is anyone's guess though
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warktheline added 09:11 - Aug 31 Our next game is a tough visit to Reading, whom by all accounts have been playing well under Steve Clarke's guidance, therefore if we manage to re-group and see the return of 2-3 injured players, all well and good!
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Mark added 09:37 - Aug 31 It has been a very good start to the season, especially following poor results in pre-season and the number of injuries we have had. We have every reason for optimism and the signing of Oar is another boost. I thought Piotr Malarczyk looked dreadful, but he was thrown in the deep end Saturday. Given time to adjust to English football and to get to know his new colleagues he should be okay. Surely he didn't become captain of the team 8th in the top league in Poland and make 125 appearances for them by the age of 24 for nothing.

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jewellsjewells added 09:59 - Aug 31 Key players missing but still 3rd ... Not a bad start... 1st half on sat was the worst I've seen us play for a couple of years . We missed The Berra... Best defence is attack was what the 2nd half was all about and it nearly worked ... Again we missed The Berra.. We will be up there April / may ... Trust MM/TC
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ArnieM added 10:05 - Aug 31 I thought Piotr looked very good, ( given his arrival in a foriegn Country kess than 24hrs earlier, not knowing any of his team mates names let aline playing alongside them). Yes he was playing the simple short pass. That was sensible and not high risk. Once hes got to grips wth the pace ofbthe English game he will be an awrsome CB IMO.
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blueherts added 11:23 - Aug 31 The irony is that we now have more width ,pace and flair in attack than we have had in years - But all of a sudden a ball over the top or floated in seems to have us scrambling in defence - I am sure Mick will sort that - we had the warning against Brentford on day one and Brighton exposed it again . Berra is key in our back line and I am sure this was a blip - chance to refresh and maybe add a name or two to the squad ? Any palace players catch your eye ? Hennessey maybe ?

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wkj added 12:36 - Aug 31 There may be a slight possibilty of one more player yet to come in on 'Life's a pitch' this weekend Ian Milne was a bit sheepish when asked and the subject changed rather than a resounding yes or no. Regardless I believe in this squad- I believe in Chambers, Smith, Bart, Murphy and the others who have had a bit of flack on the forums and believe it's going to be one tight and exciting season which we are more than capable of conquering

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blueherts added 12:52 - Aug 31 This is the most complete squad we have had in years with so much attacking flair we will score goals every game pretty much - Bart is a decent keeper but would like an addition in that area .I see JW is available - he is a def impact player who has magic in the middle of the park - we have it on the wings and maybe he could add it in the middle , especially come Nov Dec Jan when injuries etc take toll - I am not sure he would be a regular starter just cos of his injuries but a great player to have in the squad . ?

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timkatieadamitfc added 12:55 - Aug 31 It's as simple as this,if we sign(pay decent amounts of cash) a goalkeeper and a right back,we go up.When we get everyone back the midfield/forward is very impressive with GOOD competition and cover in all areas.However the same cannot be said about our back line.Not whingeing because I would have definitely taken where we are now after 5 games(look at last 2/3 seasons) but Saturday was just so disappointing.A chance to stamp our authority on 2nd place team and let's face it they should have been out of sight in the 1st half.But still we are in a great position at the minute and have real cause for optimism.COYB.

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prebbs007 added 12:59 - Aug 31 MM needs to dwell on the defensive side of things. It may be exciting but unless we sort out the back 5 we will be involved in 3-2's every week. Gerken is a liability and we still haven't fixed our RB problem ( chambers there all season = no promotion ) We look dangerous going forward but very frail going backwards. 10 points from 5 games is good Mick but don't think we are the finished article with what you have at the back and in goal !!!!

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legoman added 14:01 - Aug 31 It will be good for footy when we get a few of those new super jets made so that we can travel anywhere in the world in an hour or two. Oar will come back knackered. Takes some dedication to be an oz or kiwi sports person when based here.
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Gazelle added 14:02 - Aug 31 Two headers from the edge of the six yard box should have been a goalie's ball.
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paulthebluealien added 15:19 - Aug 31 We'll be absolutely fine. Hopefully have Bart, Bru, Bishop & Murph back against Reading for selection. Hopefully McGoldrick's injury is nothing too serious & by then Piotr will have had a chance to settle in with his new team mates. It is also, a wake up call to anybody who still thinks Chambers should be centre back. I'm not convinced. Last season yes, this season no.

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busterjames added 15:51 - Aug 31 defo need a new keeper with experience ...palaces hennessey is the answer plus mick knows him of old !! maybe jw from there as a double package and keep him wrapped up as a impact sub !! exciting times at the moment so credit to mick and terry !!
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Seasider added 17:29 - Aug 31 Agree with busterjames re the Palace lads,as with the injuries we have, this would put the icing on the promotion cake in my opinion. Thought several on here a bit harsh on Piotr who I thought did well considering the circumstances.Mick obviously rates him to chuck him in at the deep end like he did. Earlier in the season Mick intimated that Chambo has to play;but I don't think anybody should be guaranteed a place even if he is our Captain.The weakness is clearly at the back,and a bit in midfield but this is mainly due to injuries in that department I feel. We came unstuck towards the end of last season because the squad wasn't big enough;but Mick seems to have sorted out the numbers,not sure though about the right back position although hope he will sort it out eventually so that Town can march on to the promised land.

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tractorgrl added 17:51 - Aug 31 We cannot afford to ship 3 goals all the time obviously, we need a settled back 4 whoever that may be, pleased with all the new players hope they like it here. That could be the only time we lose at home!! Wishful thinking!
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carsey added 20:28 - Aug 31 Too early to panic or criticize yet with only 5 games gone We are still a work in progress and while Saturday was disappointing it was a wake up call to supporters and local media getting carried away. MM and TC I'm sure were far more realistic. Things will work out come the end of the season. I just hope we get knocked out at Old Trafford so we don't suffer the Southampton effect like we did last year. The league is the only thing that matters.

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BrettenhamBlue added 08:36 - Sep 1 Thought Piotr had an excellent debut. Did the simple things well and was very solid at the back. He certainly wasn't brought in as a Striker so I wouldn't expect him to be running with pace at their defence etc. He did his job and he did his job well. Looks a valuable addition to the squad. Strength in depth is our obvious issue at the moment but that's due to our injuries situation. Our subs bench against Brighton was poor, particularly in midfield. I really do rate Tabb but he's the kind of player that you put on when you are 2-0 up and want to conserve your lead. When Skuse came off Douglas was under far too much pressure to keep the midfield together and he was constantly covering other player (s) who were not doing their jobs correctly. When you look at our fully fit players we have a good group of midfielders. Bru, Skuse, Tabb, Fraser, AMN, Oar, Douglas, Parr, Hyam, Mcdonnell, Connolly, Henshall (on his day) and Bishop are all very capable, solid Championship/Potential Premiership players. Even Toure could play the odd game on the wing as a sub. It is a real rarity that we have had 14 midfielders who are capable in those positions.

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Gazelle added 08:38 - Sep 1 David de Gea on loan maybe ?
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OldClactonBlue added 11:10 - Sep 1 PJewell, do you seriously think a midfield of; Parr, Hyam, Mcdonnell, Connolly, Henshall could compete in the Championship? and I've allowed you to play 5 in midfield! The last 3 haven't played a game between them so I can't see how you could describe them as "all very capable, solid Championship/Potential Premiership players".
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