Tommy Smith hailed new defender Piotr Malarczyk’s mental strength after the Pole’s baptism of fire in Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Brighton.

The former Korona Kielce skipper speaks little English and was only introduced to his new team-mates on the morning of the game.

Brought on as a half-time substitute with Town trailing 2-0, Malarczyk had a tough debut, the Blues leaving gaps at the back as they pushed forward to restore parity.

However, Smith was impressed with what he saw from the 24-year-old.

“We met Piotr for the first time today (Saturday) so for him to come straight in shows the strength he’s got. It must have been tough, in a new country and a new league, but I think he did pretty well,” said Smith.

“We introduced ourselves before the game, had a little chat, then at half-time we managed to have a chat about what he could expect from Brighton. I think he acquitted himself pretty well for his first game.

“He’s not fluent (in English) but he’s got the basics, so I’m sure he’ll be working really hard on that to adapt to life in a new country.

“I have zero Polish so Bart (Bartosz Bialkowski) was helping him a lot, and it’s nice to have a compatriot in a new country.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who also signed Australian winger Tommy Oar, a move which looks set to be his last bit of business before the transfer window closes at 6pm tonight, said: “He (Malarczyk) said it’s 50% quicker than playing in Poland.

“He’s got the tools to play at that level and he did fine.

“We were leaving two versus two at the back and I would have thought anyone doing that would have had a pretty tough time.

“The last three days, it’s been trains, planes and automobiles for him and he only came in here (Ipswich) last night (Friday, before the game).

“If he looked a bit under-par that’s probably my fault for putting him on the bench, but I wanted him there and it gives him a good start.”