Town boss Mick McCarthy says he has "loads of players" in mind as he looks for central defensive cover with Tommy Smith and Adam Webster both having been ruled out for eight weeks.

Smith pulled his hamstring in training on Friday, while Webster suffered an ankle problem at Luton last Tuesday.

“We’re looking to get somebody in,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got loads of players in mind, whether any of them come is another matter.

“As usual we’re doing our due diligence and being very thorough about it. We’ll see. We’ll get somebody.”

Is it likely it’ll be a loanee coming in as short-term cover? “That always depends because the right player might well not be there for a loan until January.

“We might be able to get a loan if that’s the case and we think he’s right for us then, yes, we can take him.

“But then it might be somebody who is out of contract who wants a 12-month deal. So, I don’t know. We’ll find out when we get to the player that we want.”

McCarthy dismissed suggestions that he might have had to persuade owner Marcus Evans to give him the cash to bring in another defender.

“No, not at all,” he added. “He knows, I didn’t have to make the call, he knew already and understands and we’ll get somebody.”

The Town boss says clubs who might be wary of loaning their players believing their defender might not get a game once Smith and Webster return shouldn’t be concerned on that front.

“That’s up to the player, isn’t it?” he said. “If the player comes and gets in the team and we’re winning and playing well, I won’t put Adam Webster and Tommy Smith back in. Not if it’s the best team. I’ll pick the best team.”

Until such time as McCarthy makes his additional signing, the likes of Jonas Knudsen or Jordan Spence are likely to continue to fill in as central defenders.

Both have played in a back three but are less familiar at operating as part of a central pairing.

“If I decide to go with the shape that we finished with it might be [a big ask for them]. But they’ve just got to do it. If I decide that, that’s the way they’ve got to do it, the why they’ve got to play. And to be fair they do it willingly. There’s no complaints.”

The Town manager has been pleased with Spence, who ended Saturday’s match alongside skipper Luke Chambers at the heart of the defence.

“I think he’s got good qualities, Jordan,” McCarthy added. “I’m sure he didn’t see himself playing at centre-half, that’s for sure.

“Dominic Iorfa’s been a real hit in the right-back slot anyway and I think Jordan, whenever he’s played there, he went into the three at Aston Villa and he’s had to do it a couple of other times whether it’s in a two or a three, he’s looked solid, as he did on Saturday, so I’m happy enough with him.”

Photo: TWTD

Ipswichbusiness added 18:16 - Aug 14 I have said it before and I'll say it again; we need a Berra replacement (permanent). Knudsen is a left-back not a centre-back.
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MooseJuice added 19:00 - Aug 14 Didn't Iorfa say that he sees himself ultimately as a centre back and has played there for Wolves? Seems a bit odd but if Spence is uncomfortable there then you could put him at right back and Iorfa in the middle if playing a back four. Surely an means to an end for a couple of weeks if needs be? That said, I prefer the three at the back and one more centre half coming in would be very welcome. If ME is prepared to fund it then McCarthy should snap his hand off before he changes his mind!

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clbalaam added 21:13 - Aug 14 MooseJuice, Iorfa did say that indeed, however, from what i have seen so far, i think he is better at getting forward at RB more so than Spence. Spence looks the more solid defensively. Iorfa will be a good player and hope we have a clause to purchase him at the end of the loan. He is still a young guy, but he has been out of position at RB at times, would not want that happening at CB even if he is lightning quick and strong.

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Superblue95 added 21:18 - Aug 14 Iorfa may see himself as a centre back Moosejuice but the fact of the matter is the guy won't jump so I doubt mick will ever play him there. His athleticism makes him a good full back option though
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leftie1972 added 22:30 - Aug 14 Should've given Steven Taylor another short term deal, after all he did score for Posh last week. Any recommendations for CB's that are freebies?
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Lightningboy added 22:42 - Aug 14 Hmmm..If Iorfa & Spence can cover the centre then this would've been an ideal situation for a certain Josh Emmanuel...
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 22:48 - Aug 14 Sean Raggett is likely to be on the move from Lincoln City. A player of his calibre is worth investing in.
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Guthrum added 22:57 - Aug 14 Taylor may simply have been seen as too fragile. No point having another player adding to the injury list.
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iaintaylorx added 07:05 - Aug 15 Jason Shackell is available from Derby...
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kallyweed added 11:38 - Aug 15 Bring in Danny Batth from wolves. He not first team now and has been quality in last 2 seasons in championship. Plus he has time on his side!
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