SOMETHING has to give.

Mick McCarthy must decide which one of his loan stars will either not make his 18-man squad – or indeed be sent back completely – after moving to bring in Tyrone Barnett.

The Peterborough striker last night became Town’s tenth loan signing of an extraordinary season after being transfer-listed last week by the fellow Championship strugglers.

But Barnett’s arrival will leave McCarthy with a huge headache after the number of home-based loanees in his current ranks rose to six – one more than is permitted in a matchday squad.

And it could become an even bigger problem if McCarthy is successful in persuading Leicester City counterpart Nigel Pearson to part with midfielder Richie Wellens for a second loan spell.

Bilel Mohsni seems to be the most at-risk among the temporary players with the utility man, equally comfortable in defence and up front, having played just 37 minutes of competitive action in five games.

The Southend United player has quickly achieved something resembling cult status due to his affable nature and connection with supporters.

But he has failed to break into the first-team and McCarthy might look to call time early on his three-month loan deal.

If many supporters had their way, the Blues boss would do the same to keeper Stephen Henderson and recall Scott Loach.

A massive 83 per cent of fans polled by this newspaper yesterday called for Henderson to go if McCarthy decided to release one of his loan players.

The other home-based short-termers on the books – Danny Higginbotham, Bradley Orr and DJ Campbell – should all be safe despite rumours that QPR are looking to recall the latter, Town’s top scorer this season.

It is Daryl Murphy, an overseas loanee along with Guirane N’Daw, who could be biggest hit by Barnett’s arrival, although the 6ft 3ins striker is not eligible to face his parent club on Saturday.