Ipswich Town striker Paul Taylor has rejoined former club Peterborough United on loan until November 1 – the Blues only able to recall him after 28 days.

The 25-year-old was signed from Posh – now plying their trade in League One – in a £1.5m deal last August, but a bad ankle injury sustained in only his third game saw him ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

Impressive upon his return to action in pre-season, Taylor has found his playing time limited to just three cameo substitute appearances in the league so far.

Brought on at half-time against QPR, he was then subbed off in the 86th minute with McCarthy saying that he didn’t feel the livewire front man was ready for the pace of Championship action just yet.

Speaking after that game he refused to rule out a loan departure, saying: “I don’t know, we’ll see. He needs minutes, but how do you get them? Playing for the Under-21s? They’re not great games because they are not as competitive as they should be. We’ll see, we’ll just keep a close eye on that one.”

That situation seemed to have changed following last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Wigan in which Taylor came on for the last half hour and earned praise from his boss for a lively display on the right of midfield, McCarthy saying: “I wanted to get him on the pitch because I thought he might be Johnny on the spot and to be fair he did well, I was pleased. There’s a goal in him definitely.”

Peterborough have moved to bring Taylor back to London Road after an injury to key man Lee Tomlin. Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony wrote on social networking website Twitter: “Some minor bad news on injury front but some great news that we have signed Tayls back for a few weeks to help us. #goals&flair. Big Mick & M Evans incredibly helpful as well making this loan happen. Cheers Ipswich!”

McCarthy – who has started David McGoldrick alongside either Daryl Murphy or Frank Nouble up front so far this season – criticised his team for not being ruthless enough in last Sunday’s defeat at the DW Stadium, a host of chances missed in the first half.

The Blues boss has suggested that veteran target man Alan Lee has been training well and is closer to earning a place on the bench, while teenager Jack Marriott continues to score regularly for the youth teams.

The EADT reported yesterday that the club are set to offer free agent Sylvan Ebanks-Blake a short-term deal, the striker having worked under McCarthy at former club Wolves.