WHILE starting the vital search for a new Ipswich Town manager, Blues chief executive Simon Clegg now has another issue to tackle after the club confirmed that five first team players were out late into the night before Chris Hutchings’ first training session as temporary boss.

Just hours after manager Paul Jewell had departed the Championship’s rock-bottom club by mutual consent, social networks were awash with sightings of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Carlos Edwards, Paul Taylor, Josh Carson and Michael Chopra in Vodka Revolution.

Skipper Edwards – who was celebrating his 34th birthday – last week admitted players had ‘taken advantage’ of Jewell being ‘too nice’.

The club captain had been due to face more than 100 fans at the Official Supporters’ Club AGM on Wednesday evening, however, chief executive Simon Clegg explained that he ‘did not think it was in the best interest of getting a result on Saturday’ for the defender to be present.

A club spokesperson said: “We are aware that a number of our players were out late into the evening on Wednesday.

“Although they were not breaking any official club rules by being out, this has been brought to the attention of chief executive Simon Clegg and caretaker manager Chris Hutchings who are now dealing with it.”

It certainly gives strength to the argument that Town’s next managerial appointment needs to be a tough disciplinarian, with Hutchings – unaware of the night out when questioned at yesterday’s press conference – revealing he had delivered a few ‘home truths’ to his squad.

The 55-year-old – who spent his Wednesday night at Blackburn watching Saturday’s opponents, Sheffield Wednesday, in action – said: “It was no-nonsense today on the training ground from me. There were a few home truths. This is nitty-gritty time let me tell you.

“I think the players have let themselves down at times. We haven’t got enough consistent seven out 10 players. Naming no names, we have players who can go from a nine to a three. Do you know who I mean?”

Hutchings, who took over from Jewell at Bradford and Wigan, continued: “If someone else comes in then they might bring their own staff. We’ve got some good staff here, some real good people. I’ve said to the players ‘it’s alright for you out there, we’re the ones fighting for our jobs’.

“Players always think they’re going to get another contract, another contract, but we, the staff, are fighting for our jobs. And we’re going to give it everything.

“I’ve told the players how it’s going to be and what I expect. There will be no grey areas.”