Ipswich Town’s first team regulars can’t afford to get too comfortable, with a supporting cast ‘champing at the bit’ to take their chances if called upon, according to defender Kevin Foley.

The Irish international made his Ipswich debut in the 2-1 loss at Bristol City on Saturday, on an afternoon where the Blues were without eight players through injury or suspension, as they slipped to their fourth defeat in five.

Town’s injury troubles mean the likes of Luke Varney, Paul Digby and Larsen Toure are now being asked to play bigger roles than previously imagined, but Foley believes the club’s fringe players are all desperate to prove they should be involved.

Furthermore the defender, who also worked with McCarthy when the pair were at Wolves, insisted the more established players in McCarthy’s side can’t afford to take their places for granted either, as the club look to find their form and remain in the Championship promotion race.

“If you’re not doing it for him (McCarthy), you won’t play in the team, and that’s the biggest threat you can have really,” Foley said.

“He’ll be honest with you and if you’ve not performed for him you can’t expect to play.

“There are players here champing at the bit because they want to play, it’s a good squad and that should keep any player on their toes.

“The thought of not playing (should drive you on), because no player wants to sit in the stand or be on the bench.

“That’s the main thing McCarthy brings and hopefully we can stand up for him and be counted for the next game.”

Despite Town’s tough run, which has seen them drop to eighth in the table, Foley is still confident the Blues have enough time to find their form and make a serious push for the play-offs.

“There are still plenty of games to go and next month there are a lot of games, it’s busy with games coming thick and fast,” he said.

“It’s about how we deal with that because we still have our eye on the play-offs. We’ve had a few bad results but it’s nothing we can’t bounce back from.”

Varney, Toure, Digby and Jay Tabb were all involved as the Blues’ under 21 side lost 1-0 at Colchester United yesterday lunchtime.

Following a goalless first half, during which Varney hit the post, Town captain Joe Robinson was sent off after giving away a penalty with five minutes to go. Femi Akinwande picked himself up after being fouled and slotted the ball past Jonathan Henly to secure the win for his side.