Town boss Mick McCarthy says he wants on-loan Barnsley defender Paul Digby to join the Blues on a permanent basis in the summer. Digby moved to Portman Road in January and has made two FA Cup starts and three sub appearances in the Championship.

McCarthy says the 21-year-old, who has another season left on his contract at Oakwell but with the proposed terms of a free transfer agreed when he signed on loan, has made great strides since moving to Suffolk.

The former England U19 and U20 international operated largely in central midfield until joining the Blues but McCarthy has played him as a centre-half both for the Town U21s and in his senior games.

“He’s done very well and my thoughts are that I’ve spoken to him, and I would like to do something with him and take him on in the summer,” the Town boss confirmed.

In addition to first-team regulars Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra and skipper Luke Chambers, still viewed primarily as a central defender despite having played at right-back for much of his career, the Blues have four centre-halves currently out on loan.

Summer signing Piotr Malarczyk is at Southend, Matt Clarke is at Portsmouth, Josh Yorwerth at Crawley and Joe Robinson at Woking.

“We’ll have to do something about that, we can’t take them all going forward,” McCarthy admitted. “But Diggers is a promising young centre-back, who can use the ball from the back and I think has really impressed.

“He’s improved, there’s no doubt, training with the first-team squad every day, and he’s starting to impress everybody.”

Malarczyk joined Southend at the start of last week for the remainder of the season but is yet to feature, however, McCarthy says it’s not his place to pick other people’s teams.

“Phil Brown took him in good faith, he wanted a centre-back but it’s down to him to pick his team, nobody could ring me up and say, ‘You’ve got to play him’, it doesn’t work like that.

“I know Phil, he’s a pal of mine. I’d much prefer it if he was playing, but it’s Phil’s team, not mine.”

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 12:39 - Apr 5 keeper or striker ? 6 foot 4
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carlisleaway added 13:25 - Apr 5 Obviously does not want Clarke, what is wrong with the man !!
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lightingblue added 13:31 - Apr 5 Can we sign his dad as our 1 choice keeper.
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Currie10 added 13:38 - Apr 5 Clarke hasn't always been in the Pompey line up............ that may have something to do with it. How our fans come to some of their opinions is beyond me.
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Lathers added 16:01 - Apr 5 Diggers, Hyamsy, Pitts, Tabby..... at least the nicknames are fairly entertaining......
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alfromcol added 16:29 - Apr 5 hector_clifford added 08:55 - Apr 5 I've got a feeling that Mick is looking to play him alongside Berra next season, and Tommy is going to miss out. It might make the centre of defence more balanced, and Berra would bring him on too On no, not another season with Chambers at RB?
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jas0999 added 17:33 - Apr 5 Well if this is likely to be the extent of the players we are likely to sign in the Summer, then it looks like more lack of ambition with little money being freed up. Uninspiring signing. Can't even get a kick for Barnsley.
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:52 - Apr 5 How about this for a plan? Sign a proper right-back and get rid of Digby and Malacyck? We solve two problems at once.
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Hegansheroes added 19:28 - Apr 5 He can play the ball from the back?? He can't possibly play in aMM side then. Blfuekush, did you ever see MM play? He wasn't very good to quote Brian Clough
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