Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s trying to add a couple more players to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month with those signings likely to be loan deals or people who are out of contract, such as striker Leon Best, who is on trial and playing for the U23s this afternoon.

“I’m trying to get a couple more in, they might be loan deals or people who are out of contract,” the Blues manager told talkSPORT.

“There’s a lot of people spending a lot of money and it all seems to have doubled up. The Premier League football seems to have doubled or trebled, but the players haven’t got three times better.

“And the players that they’re buying in the Championship haven’t got two or three times better either.

“So we’ve competed with them in the past and I fully expect we’ll compete with them this year, whether we’ll spend a load of money or not. And that’s my belief all the time.”

McCarthy has been looking at signing players on loan from Premier League clubs all summer but felt many of them were unlikely to become available until near the end of the window as top flight clubs completed their transfer business. The Blues have already signed Conor Grant from Everton on loan for the season.

As previously reported, Crystal Palace winger Sullay Kaikai was watched by Blues boss Mick McCarthy, who also recently took in Arsenal’s U23s - including former loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles - facing their Reading counterparts.

Another player we understand the Blues have shown interest in this summer is 19-year-old West Ham winger Martin Samuelsen.

The Norwegian, who has made two Europa Cup sub appearances for the Hammers, spent much of last season with Peterborough, where he made nine starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring twice.

Speaking earlier in the summer, McCarthy said he had enquired about the availability of another of last season’s loanees, Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser, but was told the Scotland U21 international wouldn’t be going out on loan.

Fraser, 22, made his Premier League debut for the Cherries as he started yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham.

Photo: TWTD

MattinLondon added 13:46 - Aug 22 “There's a lot of people spending a lot of money and it all seems to have doubled up. The Premier League football seems to have doubled or trebled, but the players haven't got three times better. And the players that they're buying in the Championship haven't got two or three times better either. On this I fully agree with MM — what with the SKY money making everything more and more expensive I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Sunday League players are being sold for record amounts

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Daz added 13:50 - Aug 22 Rb with pace mick. So annoying seeing a player looking to pass to the right and no one there so he has to fully turn and go left. We can't attack mainly down the left, one of the reason kd makes mistakes. Balance needed.
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iaintaylorx added 13:57 - Aug 22 Reasonably excited about the next week in terms of transfers. Mick always surprises up with random names and not ones linked at times. Samuelsen is one player who would be great for us. Was outstanding for Peterborough last season and looked too good for the league!
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blueblood66 added 14:15 - Aug 22 Love Chambo and his spirit but he was our worst player yesterday, so yes a RB would be good or give Emmanuel his chance.
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Currie10 added 14:19 - Aug 22 We only attack down the right Sears is completely invisible so I completely disargree with that Daz. Ward has been unreal wide right thus far. Upgrade on left needed if we continue this system.
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Surco72 added 14:38 - Aug 22 Have heard it all before for last three seasons how we compete without spending but yet we haven't gone up , Leicester , Watford, Burnley ,Boro , Scum , Hull Bournemouth spent all got promotion .Name a team promoted without spending , doesn't have to be millions look at what Ward has offered for relatively small fee ?
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runningout added 14:44 - Aug 22 trying hard enough?
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DirtyOldNodger added 14:47 - Aug 22 The premiership money thing is completely ruining football IMO. It's now getting to the point where club owners are having to fork out seriously massive amounts of money just to remain competitive in a league where you are not going to get a return on that investment unless you gain that unlikely promotion. It's a massive gamble to take, and I completely agree with the clubs policy of not breaking the bank. If you look at http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/championship/transfers/wettbewerb/GB2 you can see the huge disparity between those clubs that have parachute money, and those that don't. It's a sad state of affairs but unfortunately that's the way it is nowadays. Luckily we have someone in charge who is well known for being a shrewd operator in the transfer market, and i'll repeat this again - we are very lucky to have Mick McCarthy in charge. After watching the game yesterday, I feel we're more than capable of getting into the top 6 this season. Our team of free's, lower league / premiership second string imports and the odd loan player seemed more than able to match Nodge's multi-million pound "premier league" team. Onwards and upwards. Up the town!

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jollyroger added 14:47 - Aug 22 If the two new boys are as good as ward and grant I'll be very happy
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terryf added 15:18 - Aug 22 It's not all doom and gloom. If MM gets the right couple of players in then they could make all the difference. Look at the two Grants, both look good young players. Plus if we had not been denied two perfectly good goals the 4 extra points would put us 2nd in the division. As for some of the verbal abuse McCarthy has had to endure, ok we may get frustrated with some of his decisions regarding team selection and tactics but any true supporter will be appalled by these disgusting comments.

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Woodbridgian added 15:48 - Aug 22 What MM says about cost of players re ability is if course correct but unfortunately that's where the market is right now and unless ITFC are prepared to play in that market then we will just get left further behind. While we look at an out of contract Leon Best Wolves are making a bid for Jordon Rhodes ! No prizes for guessing who might get the most goals in the Championship this season. We desperately need a TOP RB, box to box midfielder and another sticker. Can't see any of my those available of a free or loan. In case Mr M feels inclined to have another rant at supporters I'm not blaming him and am sure if the funds were available if would want the same.

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Keaneish added 15:50 - Aug 22 Given we have no idea where goals are coming from, a static midfield and weak full backs...you're only planning on bringing in a "couple"? How about doing the correct things first and playing players in their correct position and then assessing the squad? A right-back, a decent ball playing midfielder to compliment Bishop, Adam Forshaw for example, a left-winger and a striker. I make that a minimum of four players and i think everyone on here would agree... Game 5 and i'm bored out of my mind already...with the exception of the first 20 minutes yesterday, which begs the questions, why can't we play at tempo every game for 45 minutes in both halves??

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warwickblue added 16:02 - Aug 22 terryf - If you've listened to MM in full flow, I don't think we fans need worry too much about his sensitivity towards verbal abuse.
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Daz added 16:04 - Aug 22 Currie yes I know ward is right im talking about support. If he tucks in mid field where is his next pass? He could do with so much more support and also we do attack more on the left does not mean we don't attack down the right.
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Daz added 16:10 - Aug 22 Also to add basing my comment on grant being fit and sears not on the wing and not commenting about the last game but the last 6-7 games not just the one on tv.
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dubblue added 16:14 - Aug 22 pity about Fraser, how did he play yesterday? Alot of talk about an RB, but a midfielder who can hold the ball might help too.
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jas0999 added 16:38 - Aug 22 For me we need a right back, goal scoring midfielder (central) and a striker. Not surprised we are back to loans and freebies, but will it be enough to challenge for promotion. I personally have doubts. Th players we need with the right quality would almost certainly cost a fee. Improved performances in recent two games, but still quite a way from being promotion showings. Just one win in five games isn't a great record.

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JimInGreensboro added 16:39 - Aug 22 We can always use the Rio ticket revenue.
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rickw added 16:56 - Aug 22 Samuelsen and Kaikai both look like the sort of players we need Best will provide cover for Murphy - we look lost when we don't have that targetman
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WindsorBlueArmy added 17:41 - Aug 22 Personally thought that yesterday was the best Town performance for a very long time.For the fans who are making negative comments about Murph I seriously wonder how much more they expect.He outmuscled their whole back 4 and ran everywhere chasing supposedly lost causes.All he needs is someone to play off him.Also having watched last 2 it's true we would be in promotion places but for poor referee decisions.If that was the case what would certain fans be complaining about?Hope there's a decent crowd on Saturday and that we take a strong following to Reading.Keep believing and remain positive(and leave verbal abuse to friends and family not Mick as I for one think he's worked miracles on shoestring budget)

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bbg added 18:30 - Aug 22 Any or all of those mentioned in the report above would be welcome. Murphy is probably our best player but can hardly be expected to play every game, and there isn't another target man in the squad. Best would come for no fee, but if motivated has strength, pace and can score. Saw Samuelson play for Peterboro v WBA, FA Cup last season when he was named MOTM, and on that showing would be very useful. Havent seen Kaikai, but based on reports he has a goal in him and he might free Ward to play as the most advanced of a middle three, where he would surely add to our goals from midfield. However there is likely to a lot of other interest in both of those.

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Langdon_Blue added 19:07 - Aug 22 Would be delighted if Samuelson joined. Fantastic flair and not afraid to run at defenders and take them on!!
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RobTheMonk added 19:44 - Aug 22 Liked what I've seen of Martin Samuelsen. Although admittedly, that was one FA Cup performance and a handfull of League 1 games. A right back would be useful as well.......
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BarneyBoothITFC added 21:17 - Aug 22 I think everyone loves Chambo but we all know that a new RB is needed someone with pace like Deandre Yedlin from Tottenham even if it's just a lone, GET DEANDRE YEDLIN!
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Seasider added 22:11 - Aug 22 Oh dear,looks like the cupboard is bare again!
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