‘He is an obvious target’ - McCarthy on McGoldrick transfer links

McGoldrick, into the final six months of a contract which does not include an option to automatically extend it, is thought to be interesting both Cardiff and Birmingham.

McCarthy insisted he doesn’t want to lose the striker but admitted there could be a scenario where his departure could benefit the club in the long-term.

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“He is an obvious target,” McCarthy admitted. “None of us want to lose him but we’ll see what happens.

Skipper Luke Chambers congratulates David McGoldrick after he had handed Town into a 2-0 lead against Preston North End (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

“There is the short-term view on the four months left of the season and then the long-term where, if he was to go, it wouldn’t be great for the short-term but if we replace him with somebody younger then that may well be beneficial for the long-term.

“That’s if. ‘If’ somebody wants to come and take him.

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“We’ve had a bit of a bumpy road Didz for a long time, we’ve had bids from Leicester apparently and he’s had injuries.

“I just say to him ‘keep playing as well as you can’ because you get your rewards by playing well in this game and doing what you do.”

The Ipswich boss admitted during his press conference on Friday that he had been contacted regarding players in his squad but that interest had not been firmed up.