Town boss Mick McCarthy says the 3-5-2 system he has employed in recent games suits new signing Jordan Spence, who is set to be in the Blues squad for the first time at Huddersfield on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was on trial with Town in September and October but wasn’t offered a deal and subsequently spent similar spells with Rotherham and Birmingham City among others.

McCarthy says the former West Ham and MK Dons man impressed him during that spell but felt there wasn’t room for the former England U21 international in his squad at that time.

But with skipper Luke Chambers likely to play regularly at centre-half rather than right-back with Adam Webster joining an already lengthy injury list with an ankle injury McCarthy is now in need of cover.

“Jordan was fine,” he said. “I think we had enough bodies at the time but at the moment we are short of bodies and if I continue playing 3-5-2 or [move to it] in any games, I think that wing-back role suits him as well as anybody.

“He’s very quick, he’s good with the ball and it probably suits him just as well as full-back, perhaps even more.”

Spence is likely to be on the bench rather than a starter at the John Smith's Stadium as he is lacking in match practice, his most recent first-team game having been last season with the MK Dons.

McCarthy wouldn’t confirm whether he would stick with his three-man backline at Huddersfield but says his options are currently limited by the lack of fit players.

“I’m not so sure that it’s easier to get three or four together, looking at it,” he laughed ruefully. “The three at the back has suited us.

“But we’ve played 4-3-3 as well, I know Huddersfield will probably line-up like that and they move the ball around. I’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

At yesterday’s press conference, the Town boss admitted that he was no nearer adding to the signings of Spence and striker Kieffer Moore, who joined from Forest Green Rovers last weekend.

Asked whether he felt Tuesday’s embarrassing FA Cup exit to non-league Lincoln City might put off any potential signings, he said: “I hope that wasn’t an audition for people coming here. No, actually I hope it was. I’d be thinking I could play in any position I wanted, I could be one to 11 if they watched that on Tuesday night.

"I’d be coming in here with a fag on thinking ‘piece of cake, I’m in the team’. You’re kidding me!

“Players move to come and play in the team, not to come and sit on the bench, so maybe somebody thinks they can improve us. Let’s think they can.”

Photo: ITFC

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:46 - Jan 20 He'll need to have the speed of a gazelle to keep up with our play!?!?
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bobble added 07:37 - Jan 20 The big kick up the arse by lincoln might be good for mick and town
5

dirtydingusmagee added 08:05 - Jan 20 system ? SYSTEM ? there hasnt been a system for past 18 months. Surely he hasn't now come up with a system . GOOD LUCK Jordan.
6

GiveusaWave added 08:14 - Jan 20 Spence is quick and was rated highly by MK Dons. Give him time to settle into the team and he will be a very good signing.
3

Juggsy added 09:01 - Jan 20 Bit harsh on Gerks tbh saying I could play 1 to 11, thought he did well despite the rest of the sh1te.
3

Paulc added 09:02 - Jan 20 What a load of tripe! If there was no room in the squad why give him trial at all? Smacks of a cheap way to try to appease the fans. I wish the lad well and have no issue with him. It's the utter contempt for the fans by MM that I have an issue with. And by the way it's not the SYSTEM that's the problem it's the personnel in the wrong places most notably Knudsen and Douglas on the pitch at all.

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Lightningboy added 10:43 - Jan 20 What is it with modern day footballers' injury problems?...ok,they might be fitter than 30 years ago but they're not tougher - these days they get the slightest twinge and they're out for weeks/months on end...sports science is a bunch of cobblers if you ask me.
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Lathers added 14:42 - Jan 20 Mick now slagging off the team he picked against Lincoln... but at 8pm on Tuesday night he thought he'd selected a team that would progress. I doubt any Town fans seeing his pathetic selection had any genuine hope of a 4th round tie against Brighton. I've lost all faith in Mick's selections, signings, 'systems LOL' or in fact anything he says or does now. I agree that Knudsen, Douglas and Berra (shame as he has been decent for us) are not up to the task. What has happened to Ward, Skuse and Sears?? Shadows of their former selves. Nothing to lose giving Spence a go on Saturday as long as he plays Josh on the other side.

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cat added 17:18 - Jan 20 Waffle, waffle, waffle, funny how injuries have forced him to change the system but not by his own initiative. Go away Dino, NOW
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prebbs007 added 18:09 - Jan 20 A blind man with one leg could improve us. Amazed you're still here dinosaur. No one wants you at our club. Go away !!!
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