Mick McCarthy will not be making a raft of loan signings next season, as a difficult campaign battling relegation draws ever nearer.

Sixteen players have signed temporary deals at Portman Road this season, both under McCarthy and his predecessor, Paul Jewell, with varying degrees of success.

McCarthy vowed not to overload his side with loan signings on arriving at Ipswich but had to go back on his word, adding a number of new faces to strengthen a squad woefully short on quality.

The former Wolves boss has already started planning for next season and with Championship survival virtually guaranteed, he can devise a wish-list of permanent targets to give to owner, Marcus Evans.

We’ve had too many (loans) – without a doubt,” said McCarthy.

“When I sign loan players and then have to leave them out of the squad because we’ve got too many, that’s not right. And that’s happened a couple of times.”

McCarthy believes a squad of 22 is a realistic target for a Championship team, with temporary signings being brought in to compliment a base of permanent signings.

The 54-year-old has been shrewd in the loan market, however, and the likes of David McGoldrick, Richard Stearman and Jay Tabb have all been huge successes under his stewardship.

“In an ideal world you want two players for every position. Starting next season with 22 players would be ideal, but that might not be the case,” said McCarthy, who has signed nine loan players during his time at the club.

“I understand that the loan market can be good. You can get some good players from Premier League clubs, but you need a base of your own players without any doubt. Loan players should come in to supplement that in my view.”

In today’s Star, read Chris Brammer’s verdict on the loanees that have shaped Town’s season.