MICK McCarthy has made it clear he will be looking to sign top scorer DJ Campbell on a permanent basis when the striker’s loan deal runs out in January.

The striker, who has scored four times in eight games for Ipswich, admitted to this newspaper yesterday that he faced a difficult decision in the New Year.

His next move has been further complicated after Mark Hughes – the QPR manager who left Campbell out of his 25-man Premier League squad and demoted him to training with the reserves – was sacked this morning.

With Harry Redknapp set to take over at Loftus Road, Campbell will be monitoring developments at his parent club, who he grew up supporting, closely.

That leaves McCarthy in a difficult situation as he looks to convince his current main man that his future lies at Portman Road.

But speaking at today’s press conference, McCarthy admitted: “(Would I want) DJ on a permanent basis? Yes, of course.

“He’s a QPR player and I don’t believe in talking about other people’s players. But DJ has said he doesn’t want to come back on loan.

“If that’s the case, I would be interested in him because he has done really well. But it is complicated as whoever takes charge (at QPR) might want to bring him back.”

At the time of writing, Redknapp is the red-hot favourite to take over at the Premier League’s bottom club.