Mick McCarthy has admitted he may be faced with an ‘irresistible force’ should West Brom or any other Premier League club come calling with a suitable offer for Aaron Cresswell.

The 24-year-old defender, pictured right, has a year left on his current deal at Portman Road, with the option of signing for a further 12 months, but has attracted interest from a number of top-flight clubs with Alan Irvine’s Baggies the latest club to lodge an interest.

Any sale would see League Two side Tranmere Rovers receive a 20% sell-on fee, the Birkenhead side having sold Cresswell to Town for £240,000 in the summer of 2011, and McCarthy insisted any deal would have to be right for Town.

“There is interest, I can’t deny that, as he is a good player, but if there are any bids, I won’t be telling you,” said McCarthy, who himself signed a new three-year deal with the club yesterday.

“He was getting the plaudits last season for being the best left-back in the Championship and at some stage, if someone comes in and the deal is right, then it becomes an irresistible force.

“He is under contract, but that becomes a negative as the player sees there has been a bid for him that everyone else seems to think is fair.

“He may feel he’s done his time and want to move to better himself, if that’s the case, it’s hard to stop.

“If he does go I will shake his hand, thank him for his efforts and crack on and bring someone else in, that’s how it works. It would have to be the right bid though.”

McCarthy welcomed his players back to their first official day of pre-season yesterday, having added Wolves winger Stephen Hunt to his ranks.

“I’m delighted with that not only because of what he brings on the pitch but what he brings off it, he’s a great character around the place,” said McCarthy, who initially signed the 32-year-old on a short-term deal last season.

The chances of former loanee Paul Green becoming the third new face at Portman Road, after Hunt, and former Manchester City winger Alex Henshall, were ruled out last night when the midfielder signed for Rotherham.

The Republic of Ireland international joins fellow ex-Blues Frazer Richardson and Scott Loach in signing at the New York Stadium this summer.