Blues boss Mick McCarthy says his attempts to add another central defender to his squad are “progressing” with a week of the transfer window remaining.

The August window closes at 11pm next Thursday with a central defender very much the priority at Town with skipper Luke Chambers (ankle), Adam Webster (ankle) and Tommy Smith (hamstring) all sidelined. Jordan Spence will again partner Jonas Knudsen at the heart of the defence against Fulham on Saturday.

“We’re progressing, we’re doing all right,” responded McCarthy, who made a scouting trip to Sweden on Sunday, when asked whether he was close to making an addition to his squad.

The Town manager says he’s not in a position to allow too many of the young players who were so impressive at Crystal Palace on Tuesday to go out on loan at present with so many senior players still sidelined, but would consider allowing Adam McDonnell, 20, to go out for a spell.

“If you look at the squad I’ve got, until the Tom Adeyemis, Luke Hyams and all of those boys are back fit, I really need them to be back-up.

“And don’t forget we can loan them out on emergency loans to the National League. And they get some good competitive football if that’s where they’re going.

“They can have them for a month and then after that with a 24-hour recall, so that probably suits us.

“Unless somebody like Adam McDonnell, who has been great by the way and did really well on Tuesday night, if somebody came in for him, a league team, I’d certainly consider it. I’d consider any reasonable requests. But I’m not going to leave myself short here.”

Photo: TWTD

Bluebell added 16:02 - Aug 24 The young lads did so well on Tuesday evening perhaps it's time to give them a chance. Obviously the back 4 against Brentford did an amazing job but we definitely need cover.
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Mark added 17:01 - Aug 24 What a difference a week makes. A week ago Chambers got injured and we were fearing going into a match with no centre backs. We won that match, kept a clean sheet, and the youngsters did so well on Tuesday that it feels like they are options for back up and to push for first team places. Still, we don't know how well or quickly Chambers, Smith and Webster will recover and it is a long time to 1st January. I would like us to sign a first choice centre-back whom the others would have a tough job to dislodge. Beyond that, perhaps our existing squad could cover the gaps.

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Ferguson added 17:29 - Aug 24 Whoever it is, sign him up, get him a sick bag, a year's supply of Nightnurse, and a new insurance policy for strained backs, hips, groins and ankles. Seriously though we do need cover - but I'd put the boys in ahead of him. They deserve a fair go.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:30 - Aug 24 , I think the lads that played against Palace should definitely be considered, they certainly deserve a chance,and playing with some of he first team will help them .
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muccletonjoe added 21:48 - Aug 24 The lads are certainly capable of being back up. Woolfenden and fowler are definitely first team material.
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rozeeboy added 09:47 - Aug 25 Luke Berry has slapped a transfer request in at Cambridge United.
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pegasus added 13:43 - Aug 25 The young defenders at Selhurst Park looked mature and secure.
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