Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has tipped summer signing Adam Webster for the top.

The 21-year-old centre-back was purchased from League Two side Portsmouth for a fee of £700,000 – the most McCarthy has spent on a player during his near four years in charge at Portman Road.

He started Town’s opening four league matches, was dropped for two matches, but has produced two eye-catching displays since returning to the side for the injured Tommy Smith.

“It’s always nice, when you go out and spend money on someone, when they turn out to be good,” said McCarthy, whose team take on Leeds United, at Elland Road, on Saturday looking to secure a fifth clean sheet of the campaign.

“We’ve been taking free transfers and Bosmans all the time and you are taking a chance because, generally, there’s a reason for that being the case.

“This the most we’ve spent on a player and, to be fair, it looks like it.”

He added: “He’s a very capable footballer. He’s not been able to show that much so far, but that’s because he’s come up two divisions and is learning his trade again.

“He’ll play in the Premier League – whether that’s with us or with someone else. People will be watching him, there’s no doubt about that.

“He’s quick, he’s very comfortable with the ball, he can break forward with the ball and he’s got two good feet.

“What I like about him more than anything though is he’s bought into our defensive side of the game. He’s got better and better. I’m really pleased with him.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says Jonny Williams will play as soon as he is fit. The 22-year-old midfielder joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace still recovering from an ankle injury and isn’t expected back in action until the middle of next month.

Eagles boss Alan Pardew told the Croydon Advertiser recently that the Welsh international’s future is away from Selhurst Park and it’s been reported that there is re-call clause that would allow the south London club to sell him in January should he do well at Portman Road.

“The deal is that when he is fit he plays,” said McCarthy. “We’ll see what happens after that.”