FINGERS crossed there was nothing lost in translation.

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy is hopeful that influential loan midfielder Guirane N’Daw will sign permanently for the club this summer.

The only problem is that the French-speaking African can still only speak limited English.

“He is out-of-contract at St Etienne in the summer,” said McCarthy. “I’ve had a limited discussion with ‘G’ and that was along the lines of ‘yeah gaffer, I like you, you like me, I stay’. That was about it!

“Hopefully I might stay and he might stay and that will be it!”

Brought in on a season-long loan by former Blues boss Paul Jewell, N’Daw was head-scratchingly dropped from the squad following an impressive performance in a 1-1 draw at Brighton last October.

The Senegalese powerhouse – whose international side did not qualify for the on-going African Cup of Nations – has been the team’s most consistent performer since McCarthy’s arrival at the start of last November though, with some imperious displays helping lift the team six points clear of the Championship drop zone.

“He’s done great,” enthused McCarthy. “He’s done wonderfully well compared to what I was told when I came in.

“I tried to sign him for Wolves a long time ago so I was pleased to inherit him. He has been a key player for us and has been terrific.

“I would think we’ve taken him on a considerable cut of what he’s on at St Etienne though, knowing what he was earning when I was trying to sign him.

“He likes it here and we like having him. I don’t know if there will be an agent involved, but we’d like to do something if possible.”

McCarthy’s team travel to rock-bottom Bristol City tomorrow. The Blues boss is still keen to make further new additions to his squad before the end of the January transfer window, with a goalkeeper and right-back on his wanted list.