Incoming Irish striker Aaron Drinan has been backed to hit the ground running at Ipswich Town - and has already been dubbed the new Daryl Murphy by his team-mates.
The 19-year-old could formally complete his move from Irish side Waterford as early as today, subject to international clearance, having trained with the club throughout the first half of the season.
Once that process his complete, with the deal believed to include a small transfer fee and a sell-on clause, the former Cork City player will go straight into manager Mick McCarthy’s first-team thoughts.
“He will be available as soon as the paperwork is done,” McCarthy said. “They’re all signed, though.
“Aaron’s been good, I’ve been really impressed by him.
“He’s trained and not looked out of place. It’s been frustrating for him that he couldn’t play, of course, but he’s ready to go.
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“He needs games, that’s the only problem.”
Ipswich captain Luke Chambers has been impressed with what he’s seen so far and has backed his new team-mate to make an impact when he gets on the field.
He said: “When he starts I’m looking forward to seeing him because he has been kicking me left, right and centre and treading on my toes in training. He’d run through that wall if he had to.
“He’s definitely one to look forward to seeing play and I’m looking forward to seeing him involved as soon as possible.
“For some reason he’s got Christmas off and I’m not too happy about that – he’s going to get some stick when he comes back.
“I think he’s done brilliantly in training and he has shown improvement almost every da. He’s an exciting prospect alright.”
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The Blues squad have already taken to calling the striker ‘Murph’ due to similarities drawn between him and former Ipswich striker Murphy - who McCarthy brought to English football from Waterford while Sunderland manager in 2005.
The comparison has amused the current Blues boss.
“It’s because he’s Irish and a centre forward,” McCarthy said with a smile.
“I love the humour of football, it’s great. It’s usually Skusey (Cole Skuse) who drops it in at some point along the line. You don’t know when it comes but when it does it’s rapier-like. It’s fabulous.
“I heard him call Aaron ‘Murph’ the other day and it really made me laugh.”
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