Mick McCarthy says he’ll be sticking with the central defensive pairing of Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen when the Blues face Fulham in the Championship at Portman Road on Saturday but the Town manager, who would give nothing away on the reason for yesterday’s trip to Sweden, says he’s still looking for an additional centre-half.

Spence and Knudsen, both primarily full-backs, helped their side to a clean sheet as Brentford were defeated 2-0 on Saturday and McCarthy confirmed they will keep their places for the visit of the Cottagers, although they will be rested along with the other nine players who defeated the Bees for tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace.

“That won’t be changed,” he said of the pairing. “I’d be bonkers if I changed that, they were excellent.

“It wasn’t like they got away with it, I thought they played very well and I think Spence has stepped up and I’ve always said that I thought Jonas could make a left-sided centre-back.

“And Myles Kenlock had his best game by miles [at left-back] this year because he hadn’t had a great start to the season. He knows, I’ve told him, but I thought he was excellent on Saturday. He’s stepped up to it, when he got his opportunity he came and played well.

“He didn’t deserve to be in the team over Jonas at left-back. I come in here and everybody’s telling me how well he’s been doing and asking, ‘Was it a big decision?’. No it wasn’t, no not at all.

“And he knows that because he was very, very good last year and his pre-season wasn’t as good as I expect.

“But when he got his chance to play in the first team, and against a good side, he came good. I was delighted for him more than anybody.”

With skipper Luke Chambers (ankle), Tommy Smith (hamstring) and Adam Webster (ankle) all out for a few weeks after the international break McCarthy says another centre-half remains on his wish-list with the transfer window closing next Thursday.

“Not for Saturday, I’ve got one more game and I wouldn’t be changing it anyway,” he added.

“If I got one in I’m not going to stick him in the team for Saturday having had a clean sheet against Brentford. I don’t see any reason why I would. But, moving forward, I still need one.”

Asked about his Sunday trip to Sweden to watch Djurgåden beat Halmstad 2-1, he said: “It was nice. I had some beef ragu and a glass of red wine for lunch and a bottle of sparkling water in the Nobis Hotel, which is a particularly nice place.

“It was on a plastic pitch, there wasn’t one offside in the game. People kept walking past me, I thought it was a sponsored walk in front of me, I was losing the will to live at one stage.

“It was a good day. I caught a 6.20am flight, which was particularly nice, a half-three shout. Got back into Heathrow at 12 o’clock and I was in my bed at a quarter-past two. That was my itinerary for yesterday.”

Was he willing to add any more on the reason for his trip? “I’ve given you a synopsis of my day, I’ve given you everything! I’ve done really well there.”

Potential targets in yesterday's two squads include visitors' defender Marcus Johansson, 23, who looks a not unlikely candidate as his contract is up at the end of the Swedish season, and fellow Halmstad man Marcus Mathiesen, a 21-year-old Dane.

The home squad included veteran former West Brom defender Jonas Olsson, 34, who returned to Sweden at the end of last season.

Djurgåden’s Norwegian defender Niklas Gunnarsson, 26, at one time played for Hibs, although is primarily a right-back, while 23-year-old Swede Jacob Une Larsson was also in action for the Stockholm-based side.

Another possible target may have been Djurgåden’s 27-year-old defender Marcus Hansson, although he wasn’t involved yesterday.

Photo: TWTD

Bluebell added 16:22 - Aug 21 Good for you Mick. Why change a winning side? Knudsen and Spence were brilliant especially in the second half. Credit to Kenlock and Iorfa for having great games too. We do need cover for the positions but they need to take time in selecting the right player.
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Heathlander added 16:24 - Aug 21 A glass of red while working??? That's disgraceful. No wonder we are in such a mess. :)
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RimmersBrace added 16:56 - Aug 21 As I've said before any full back is better than a centre-back at centre-back. "Is Ringo Star the best drummer in the world?" Lennon "He's not even the best drummer in the Beatles"
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Blandford added 17:21 - Aug 21 Can't help thinking that his reluctance to elaborate on the trip to Sweden is an indication that we may have a new signing soon. Certainly need defensive cover at the moment.
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:21 - Aug 21 It may be controversial to say this, but I was far happier with Spence and Knudson at the heart of our defence, than I have been with Cambers and Smith. Also Skuse did well as Captain. He looked the part. The next few weeks will tell us more.
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jas0999 added 17:26 - Aug 21 Bringing in a top centre half must be a high priority. We've got away with it so far, but with Smith and awebster sugpffeting from ongoing injury problems, we need a replacement for Berra.
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runningout added 07:47 - Aug 22 Realise there are not too many good centre back about.. Not sure Swedens leagues are the answer. I would suggest the Baltics
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runningout added 08:06 - Aug 22 think posts are spot on, not necessarily mine. As said "We've got away with it so far"
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