Mick McCarthy is ready to play the hand he is dealt this summer, as he plots Ipswich Town’s promotion charge.

The Blues boss worked wonders in the transfer and loan market last season, spending small amounts on permanent signings, Anthony Wordsworth and Frank Nouble, and may face a challenge to land his top targets this summer, due to new Financial Fair Play Regulations.

However, after luring David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb back to the club on permanent deals and landing Bristol City skipper Cole Skuse, he insists having millions isn’t the be-all and end-all.

“Roberto Mancini at Manchester City spent hundreds of millions, but people were saying he wasn’t happy,” said McCarthy, speaking yesterday as his players began pre-season training.

“Whatever hand you get dealt, you crack on with it the best you can.

“Financial Fair Play is causing everyone problems but we have managed to bring in three players from last season and have signed Cole Skuse, so we have done as much (business) as anyone.

“We’ve got the good nucleus of the team from last year as well.

“I think everybody puts too much emphasis on it (the playing budget).

“Everybody who spends wants some more to spend and let me tell you, there’s one way to get shot of it and that’s giving it to footballers, agents and managers, as we’ll all take it!”

McCarthy quashed reports that former defender Titus Bramble was training with the club but would not be drawn over his reported pursuit of former Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot and ex-Wycombe winger, Joel Grant.

We understand Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who is recovering from a broken leg, is also a target of McCarthy’s.

“He (Ebanks-Blake) will have offers from the Premier League, being on a free transfer, or he ought to have,” said McCarthy.