SEAN McCarthy has called on the Blues to help him get one over old foes Cardiff City tomorrow.

The Town coach scored 25 goals in 91 games for the Bluebirds’ bitter rivals Swansea City in the mid-to-late 1980s and admits it would be especially sweet if Ipswich returned home from the Welsh capital with all three points.

McCarthy said: “I was born in between Swansea and Cardiff. I was on trial at Swansea, they turned me down, I went to Cardiff and they let me go after a couple of games in the reserve team and I ended up playing non-league for three months before Swansea came back in to sign me.

“It would be nice to get one over them. Having played many derbies against Cardiff during my time at Swansea, I’m looking forward to the game.”

McCarthy likens the rivalry between the two Welsh giants to that experienced by Ipswich and Norwich fans, while also believing tomorrow’s opponents at the Cardiff City Stadium share similarities.

He explained: “Just like we’ve had to watch Norwich make the step up to the Premier League, Cardiff have had to see their fierce rivals do it as well. Now both Ipswich and Cardiff are desperate to join them.”

While not ruling out moving into management himself, McCarthy is clearly enjoying his role alongside Jewell and assistant manager Chris Hutchings.

He added: “I have been here many times and I just think it’s a fantastic club. This is real proper club, you look forward to coming into training every morning. It’s just a fantastic place to be around.

“There’s a confidence and feel good factor at the club at the moment which has come with a few wins. We can go out on the pitch now and I don’t think we fear anyone. If we play to our strengths then we know we’ll be okay.”