Town boss Mick McCarthy doesn’t expect to have any new faces in his squad ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Lincoln City at Portman Road, but says there has been loan interest in fringe defender or midfielder Paul Digby.

“I doubt very much we’ll have anybody in before Saturday,” said McCarthy, whose primary aim is to add to his strike force.

“We’re still looking for strikers and so far we’re not having any joy, we’re just getting the same custard pies in the face.”

He says he’s not had any other bosses calling him up about his senior players: “No, managers are not ringing me up. I get agents who ring me up and try and tell me that people are interested but I don’t take any notice of that because they’re just trying to drum up business.”

One player who there is interest in is 21-year-old Digby, who has recovered from the knee injury which had sidelined him in recent weeks.

“Diggers is fit, he’s training and there are a couple of clubs interested in taking him on loan and if the others are coming back fit I would consider that,” he said.

McCarthy paid tribute to Luke Varney, who joined Burton Albion on an 18-month deal yesterday with his Blues’ contract due to come to an end on January 12th.

“Luke’s been great,” McCarthy continued. “I think it’s been a pretty symbiotic deal, we’ve been good for each other because when he snapped his achilles against Norwich we looked after him and he was really grateful for that. I’m not sure too many clubs would have done that.

“And he’s repaid us, he’s repaid us with his personality around the place and his performances some important goals this season.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old New Zealand international Monty Patterson has returned to the Blues at the end of his loan with Vanarama National League Braintree.

Photo: TWTD

carsey added 22:08 - Jan 5 blues1 - I think you are missing the point. Yes we are only 5 days into January but McCarthy should have been sorting this out since he allowed Murphy to go. That's why people are annoyed.
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:11 - Jan 5 To add to Carsey's point, MM also clearly stated that business was going to be done early (to replace Murphy). It wasn't too long ago that we had two target men (Murphy and a Varney). We now have zero target men, and fans are understandably getting frustrated. Varney is also a first team player, he's played 15 games for us this season (4 starts). So we have lost one player so far and gained zero.

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blues1 added 00:13 - Jan 6 No carry. I'm not missing the point at all. I'm sure theyve been exploring signings for a while. Just havent been able to tie anything up as yet. If ur argument was correct ir d mean that every club that hasnt signed ne1 yet havent been trying neither. Like everyone else, if we don't get some1 in soon then I shall be as angry as the next man. We have to remember tho, that every club wants a striker so even if we have identified the man we want, we're gonna have competition from elsewhere.paul jewellisagod. Yes he said early. Doesn't mean he was gonna sign some1 in 1st couple of days does it?

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GiveusaWave added 03:03 - Jan 6 I'd rather see us sign the right players than panic buy players who are either always going to be injured or alternatively are constantly surplus to requirements. To look at some stats here ;50 plus signings so far: for arguments sake let's say 55. 🌗 That equates to about 50 percent of clubs doing business already. If we evaluated and statistically broke down all transfers and loans to date, we'd find that premiership is highest, meaning fewer than half of Championship clubs have made deals to date. Mick isn't going to be sucked into buying a player just for the sake of it, it's a waiting game. A wrong sign alters the equilibrium of the squad and lowers the potential for wages being used for more astute signings. Pittman, McGoldrick, Best and Sears is perfectly adequate for now, and on top of that might stop us just lumping the ball forwards. Morris needs game time during this season and MCLaughlin is waiting in the wings. PhilTWTD On MCLaughlin. I was told recently that McLaughlin is now a striker and RB. Is this true? Didn't believe it initially but then went to see team list and saw he is listed as defender???

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BillBlue added 12:02 - Jan 6 KeanosBarmy - Sorry mate hit the wrong button.
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blues1 added 14:28 - Jan 6 Guentchev. Where have u got 50 signings done, from. So far only Arsenal, Boro and stoke have signed 1 player each this window and in the championship derby, 1 on loan, villa 1 on loan and Bristol city 2. Long way from 50
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