MICK McCarthy faces the biggest selection headache of his fledgling Ipswich Town career after new signing Frank Nouble became the TENTH frontman on the first-team books.

The Blues boss surprised many by swooping for the former England Under-19 striker after Nouble failed to impress during his six months at McCarthy’s former club Wolves.

The 21-year-old, who came up through the ranks of Chelsea before making his professional debut at West Ham, has so far failed to live up to his potential – being farmed out on loan seven times before signing for Wolves.

Tellingly, it was Terry Connor, who took over from McCarthy at Molineux before reuniting with him at Ipswich, who signed the 6ft 3ins powerhouse.

And while McCarthy is aware of perhaps bigger priorities within his first-team squad, strengthening the centre-back and wide areas to name two, he had no hesitation in making Nouble his third new striker in just five days.

Nouble, whose last start for Wolves was in the Capital One Cup in August, will now battle it out with fellow new boys David McGoldrick and Aaron McLean – but the trio face fierce competition.

Michael Chopra, Daryl Murphy and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas all started in Town’s FA Cup match at Aston Villa on Saturday while the writing looks on the wall for Jason Scotland, Nathan Ellington and Ronan Murray.

The 10 strikers are completed by Paul Taylor, the �1.7 million signing who sustained a broken foot just two-and-a-half games into his Town career.

Nouble said: “I know it’s going to be a battle to get in the side.

“One look around the squad tells me that, but you need that competition to be successful.

“I’m relishing the challenge and can’t wait to get going here.”