Mick McCarthy will offer his current crop of players a clean slate during pre-season but has stressed some squad members will have to work harder to be in contention for a start ing berth against Fulham, on August 9.

McCarthy, who has lost left-back Aaron Cresswell – the defender signed for West Ham late last night – had a fairly settled squad for most of last season with seven players, including Cresswell, playing more than 40 Championship games.

“Everyone starts with a clean slate from last season,” said McCarthy, who is pondering a move for Notts County goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

“That might seem a bit unfair on the lads that played 40, 42, 46 games, but the ones that are the fittest and strongest and playing the best in pre-season will start on August 9.”

Included in his plans will be transfer-listed Paul Taylor, who has already staked a claim for more involvement next term, following a frustrating campaign last season.

Paul Anderson, meanwhile, despite impressing for large parts, previously revealed that missing some of last pre-season hindered his performances.

“Paul (Taylor) has come back flying, he is the sixth fittest in training and he looks like he means it and I am delighted,” McCarthy added.

“I hope Ando (Anderson) with his pre-season improves, because I thought he had a good season last season.

“He did make that point to me though and if you do miss pre-season it plays a big part.

“When you do pre-season, it’s like getting it (fitness) in the bank, that’s your work done, your back-up, in case you get left out, suspended or get injured.

“For some it’s more important than others. I know all about Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith, Dean Gerken, Luke Hyam, Cole Skuse, Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick, Jay Tabb, they have got the brownie points, but some need to work harder in pre-season and that’s always the case.

“The ones I have mentioned will be bang at it all pre-season, they are good pros and have been there, seen it and done it.

“Some of the younger ones have got to get up to that standard.”