Blues boss Mick McCarthy believes on-loan Everton man Callum Connolly is a midfielder rather than a right-back, which has been viewed as his primary role during his fledgling career up to now.

The 20-year-old came on as a sub wide on the right at Cardiff late in October and started in the centre of midfield in the 3-0 victory over Preston a few days later, cementing his place in the side in the weeks since then.

“He’s a midfield player, he’s been outstanding playing in midfield,” McCarthy said. “He’s been a great foil for Skusey because we’ve had times when Skusey’s been that sitter, but if ever he wanders we’ve got nobody that just fills in for him. He’s just really balanced it off with Skusey, I think.

“And he’s got a couple of goals. I said to him when we first played him in midfield that he’s got a goal in him.

“It’s interesting because I said to Joe Royle, who was looking after the loan players at Everton, although he’s just left, when I rang him up that he’s a midfield player. He said, ‘I’m glad you said that because I’ve been telling people for ages that he’s a midfield player’.

“And having played he could play at full-back now because he’s been playing games, but why the hell would I shift him? He’s been great and is notching goals as well.”

Among the players Town currently have out on loan is right-back Josh Emmanuel, who is with striker Kieffer Moore at Rotherham.

The 20-year-old, who has suffered with one or two injuries while at the New York Stadium, has made 11 appearances for the Millers - all from the start - with last week’s game at Blackpool, where they won 2-1, his first in a month.

Is it a frustration for a manager when a player is sent out on loan and doesn’t play that regularly?

“That’s always the concern when you send them out,” McCarthy added. “When you send players out to be playing they have got to be good enough to get in the team, or better than that person [that is playing].

“We’ve had it with Dominic Iorfa here, Jordan Spence has been playing, but Dom has had a lot of games.

“We’ve had it with Bersant Celina, now he’s got in the team and he’s bought into what is required in the Championship, not just playing the game that he thinks is required. He’s learnt and he’s a better player for it.

“Callum, again, played two games at full-back, then didn’t play, but he’s got in. Josh has got to get in, he’s got to get in the team and make sure he stays in the team. If he doesn’t I’m sure they’ll send him back.”

Photo: TWTD

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