Boss Mick McCarthy says any additions he makes during the January transfer window are likely to be loan signings, however, he is happy with the squad he’s got, is under no pressure to sell anyone and it seems likely to be a quiet month at Portman Road.

“I’m happy with what I’ve got,” McCarthy said when asked whether it was nice to be going into January not desperate to augment his squad.

“The strikers I’ve got, I’m really pleased with them, wide players, Wardy, Bersant. I’d love to have the midfield players I’ve mentioned back fit and if I’ve got everybody back I think I’ve got a really good squad of players.

“And I think if everybody’s fit, it’s unlikely we would be adding to it. Again, it would be loans or not much else.”

He added: “I pretty know what we’ll be doing, if we can get loan players. We’ve got three of them already, of course, so we’ve got to be careful, we don’t want too many of them. Or if there’s somebody available. Unless we sold anybody, I doubt very much we’d be going out and buying anybody.”

While he has said he's not looking for cover in midfield despite eight players currently having injuries with most of their problems short term, he has said he will be after another keeper with Dean Gerken currently sidelined with a hip injury.

“Tom Adeyemi’s got to get fit at some stage, fingers crossed," he reflected. "Skusey will be all right, Flynn Downes will be all right, Tristan Nydam will be all right. Kevin Bru is still our player and Adam McDonnell’s coming back. We’ll see how he’s done.

“It’s not like I’m not going to have any. Well, I hope not. It was lovely to see Luke Hyam out on the grass today, actually.”

Town already have the signing of striker Aaron Drinan from Waterford lined-up ready to be completed once the window opens, while McCarthy plans to bring striker Kieffer Moore back from his loan spell at Rotherham.

Quizzed on whether he will be under any pressure to sell anyone, he added: “I don’t know if there’s anybody looking to buy anybody but if we sell anybody we’re going to [have a] pretty bare backside, aren’t we?

“I’m not particularly looking to sell anybody, that’s for sure. But I can’t stop it if bids come in and people want to do it.

“No, we want to keep progressing, we’re in a good position at the minute and we’d like to push on and do even better. Hopefully, that can be the case.”

On-loan Everton man Callum Connolly, 20, has impressed in midfield in recent weeks, scoring three goals in the last four games, but McCarthy says it’s too early to start talking to his parent club about anything longer term.

“There’s no point, I don’t go asking stupid questions because when people ask me stupid questions I give them a stupid answer,” he said.

“We’ll let it run its course, we’ll see to the end of the season, we’ll see how he does and if we think he’s going to be a player for us, we’ll bring him back. If not, well tell us how much he’s going cost and we’ll [let you know].

“I don’t really get involved in that. And the reality is, he’s here, he’s playing and sometimes that can just muddy the water anyway, just let him play here, let him do what he’s doing, he’s been brilliant in midfield.

“Yes, I know I signed him as a right-back-cum-centre-back. Maybe I get criticised for that, maybe I should get a bit of praise for playing him in midfield and telling him he was a goalscorer because he’s been different class. And he has been. Wow, I think he’s been sensational, to be honest with you.”

Photo: TWTD

Esseeja added 16:44 - Dec 21 If your a DEFENSIVE manager, you should get a better CENTRE HALF.
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bugblatter added 16:49 - Dec 21 That's a large cuppa.
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jas0999 added 16:50 - Dec 21 Disappointing news. Evans clearly learnt nothing from a few years back when we were top. Squad is painfully thin and needs strengthening. CB an absolute must - preferably a permanent addition to replace Berra. Long over due.
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ElderGrizzly added 16:54 - Dec 21 Goldson from Brighton is a given, so there is your CB. Evans will react to Mick's demands, but also Mick is also rather adept at not telling the truth with transfers!
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ElderGrizzly added 16:58 - Dec 21 I have no issue with the proposed quiet window, if We pick up no more injuries and we see those injured return. Adding Goldson on a loan, with view to permanent in the summer is a good move. Otherwise we don't really need anything unless someone leaves. That someone could be McG? I do expect this to go down like a lead balloon though with certain fans, but with MM's future so uncertain, we aren't going to invest long-term in too many new players. We should also remember, MM has a habit of telling porkies around transfers, so best to ignore him for now 🙄

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Surco72 added 17:02 - Dec 21 MM and his teams are always poor after Christmas, we need additions of quality that could make the difference of playoffs . I would have thought with 2 players that were thought of as starters in Huws and Dozzell out for the season we would replace them ?
3

Taricco_Fan added 17:06 - Dec 21 We're in play-off contention and generally things are going well. Now would be a good time to attract new players . Clearly the lessons of the past few seasons haven't been learned.
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12th_Man added 17:08 - Dec 21 Not a surprise really same transfer activity as normal 😴😴😴
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NBVJohn added 17:09 - Dec 21 There's a tacit message in there. I want to buy, but ME said no - If I want to buy I need to sell first. If I don't sell I can't buy. Do you think they've bothered telling Ian ‘the powers that be' Milne yet, or was he busy getting Mick a refill for that cup? By the way - that's the only cup likely to be within MM's grasp for a while yet.
0

TimmyH added 17:11 - Dec 21 Well there's a surprise!...practically every January that comes round we hear the same thing, how can Mick be happy with the squad currently with the injuries we have presently?...oh! I forgot Mick's towing the Evans line once more.
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Kikapu added 17:12 - Dec 21 ElderGrizzly makes good points in each of his paragraphs. Good to read and each point well made and clear.
1

prebbs007 added 17:29 - Dec 21 Let's hope this is a smokescreen! We need additional players. We need a CB preferably left footed. We need to replace Chambers. Webster must play RCB and a Berra replacement LCB. For me we need another CM. With Huws out Adeyami in and out Skuse picking up more injuries Bish not fully ready we are close to the bare bones, let's face it we could start with Connolly and Bru Saturday (0% would have selected that combo in August) so not sure how Dino can say he's happy with what he has, if the squad was so good it couldn't be improved we would be top. As I say hopefully a smoke screen. Wouldn't be the first time. Who saw Garns & Waggy coming in ?? As for Evans, well he has never seen the light when it comes to investing in January while in a strong position so it's folly to expect him to do it now. My issue is our rivals in and around the play offs will almost certainly strengthen and if we don't we will by definition be worse off. Let's hope for a surprise. COYB

3

blue75 added 17:37 - Dec 21 Just my opinion but if the managers future was sorted maybe Evans would spend, but what owner is going to give money to a manager who has 6 months left and has said he may walk away even if offered a new contract. If there is any money be best to save it for the summer when the manager situation is sorted out.
4

itsonlyme added 18:12 - Dec 21 Lessons obviously not learnt. ME needs to give MM backing in January transfer window. Barnsley will overtake us as we slip further down the financial barrel?
3

Seasider added 18:41 - Dec 21 Like JAS fear it will be another disappointing mid-season window from Micks interview. Many feel we missed out by not making any significant signings the year Murph was banging them in,and this season we are high enough in the League,not to put players off. At the AGM Mr Milne said that the manager and owner had been speaking a lot lately;so no doubt the forthcoming window was discussed;but from what Mick said today,no substantial funds will be made available;as he said might have to sell to achieve that. Early days yet;but wont raise my hopes.Wonder if ME is as flush as some people think anyway ?

2

carsey added 19:26 - Dec 21 I'm not a fan of McCarthy but I do like the fact he keeps transfer dealings quiet. I agree with those who say we need a CB to replace Chambers. Much as I love his attitude he is a liability and we need to stop conceding goals.
4

pragmatic added 19:41 - Dec 21 Agree also elder grizzly & others who says it's best not too show all your cards apart from anything else keeps interest going a happy & healthy Christmas to all town fans irrespective of your points of view,
0

howdonblue added 20:09 - Dec 21 The lessons of a few years ago not likely to be learned by the board here however one thing I shall concede is that we have got a strong front line (however sears is a weak link now ).
0

wayway added 20:36 - Dec 21 What do you all expect? Get real, No interest in the football side of the club = no investment
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baxter7 added 21:25 - Dec 21 Same rubbish from McCarthy happy with his squad how about a centre back McCarthy to give your mate chambers a run for his money or a decent defensive midfield player to give your other mate skuse a run for his money as well roll on may
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itfchorry added 21:32 - Dec 21 Gcon and Kikapu on the transfer list please !!
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heathen66 added 22:42 - Dec 21 Happy with his squad ??? He doesn't want to sign anyone in case it is in direct competition to his favourites. We are desperate for a CB, but that would mean dropping Chambers. Mick thrives on a small squad, as this is what he can always blame (injuries).The more players we have the more difficult decisions he has to make...simple. IMO an established CB is a must, plus a box to box midfielder replacement for Huws. That is an absolute minimum. It is assumed that Moore will be back to bolster the attacking options (well on the bench anyway). The rest depends on the ambition of the club and the manager

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