Jay Tabb revealed the Blues were on his summer wish-list, prior to Mick McCarthy’s loan swoop for the midfielder.

The 29-year-old, who made his Town debut in Saturday’s goalless draw at Peterborough, will leave Premier League Reading in the July when his contract comes to an end.

Out-of-favour at the Madejski Stadium, Tabb was ready to sound Town out over a switch to Portman Road in the summer but is delighted McCarthy made the first move.

“With my contract up in July, Ipswich were one of the clubs I would have been enquiring about,” said Tabb, whose new team-mates failed to score for the fifth time in their last seven outings.

“To come here on loan it gives both parties a chance to take a look at each other and as soon as Mick McCarthy approached me about coming here I jumped at the chance.

“With the manager in charge and the size of Ipswich Town, I think the club can do really well next season so I was keen on talking to them at the end of the season.”

Tabb can also list Brentford and Coventry among his former clubs and admitted he was close to linking up with the Blues boss during his time in charge at Wolves.

“Before I went to Reading from Coventry, I had the chance to go to Wolves with Mick (McCarthy), but I chose Reading because it was closer to home,” said the Tooting-born midfielder, who has represented Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.

“But you have got to admire the gaffer for what he has achieved in the game and personally I don’t think Wolves should have let him go.

“Had they kept him, I think they would have still been in the Premiership.”