Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted to see talismanic striker David McGoldrick return to action tonight.

The striker – who scored 16 goals last season before a knee injury ended his campaign in mid-February – came on as a 73rd minute substitute in a 2-1 friendly win at League Two side Southend United, triallist Balint Bajner (58) and Anthony Wordsworth (90+) scoring the goals for the away side.

“It was great to get Didz (McGoldrick) back on the pitch, great to see Balint score and great to see Woody get in the box and score,” said McCarthy. “The game was poor. It was hard work because the grass was so long, but they’re protecting it because they’ve got so many games coming up.

“I nearly made the decision myself not to play him (McGoldrick) because of the pitch because you can soon get your studs caught and twist a knee, but he went out at half-time and said ‘I’ll be alright’.

“He’s just short of match practice, but there were still a few silky touches though. It’s remarkable that he played tonight because he’s only had three or four training sessions with the team.

“He’ll play regularly when he’s fit. If you’re asking me for a day or a date I haven’t got one because I don’t know how he’ll feel tomorrow, whether he’ll be stiff and sore. Will he be able to train tomorrow? Probably, because he’s a fit lad.

“ASAP is when we want him available, but that will be done with due care and attention. We don’t want him to get injured again.”

On Bajner’s fine finish, the 6ft 5in Hungarian striker on trial, McCarthy said: “I think he’s done well in every game. He’s only 23 and I think he’s got improvement in him. We’ll continue to monitor him.

“It’s the same with Kevin (Bru, midfield triallist). I’ve been delighted with him. That was only his second game in the last three or four months and I wanted to get Teddy Bishop on so that’s why I took him off.”

On his decision to allow Freddie Veseli to join Port Vale on loan, he added: “That’s the end of his time at Ipswich. Micky Adams wants him, I think we’ve done him a turn letting him go there. Let’s hope he does well, somebody else wants him and he can progress somewhere else. Let’s hope he does because he’s a lovely young fella.”