With just three goals from the Blues’ recognised midfielders this season, can Mick McCarthy afford NOT to delve into the emergency loan market?

The Blues boss stated that he was not going to look at further temporary options in a pre-match press conference last week but a lack of creativity is costing Town dear.

Just one shot on target in the 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday encapsulated a campaign which has seen the Blues tighten up at the back but fail to be prolific in front of goal.

The weekend’s midfield quartet – Carlos Edwards, Luke Hyam, Guirane N’Daw and Daryl Murphy – have only provided five league assists between them this season, Edwards with four and Murphy, one.

Meanwhile, Hyam and N’Daw have scored just one goal each in the league – the former having had just six shots on goal all season.

The majority of Murphy’s six strikes have come from his preferred position up front, while Edwards has yet to score.

But what are the alternatives to improve Town’s standing as the Championship’s joint-lowest scorers and their current position just a point above the drop-zone?

Lee Martin could come into the equation for Blackpool’s visit to Suffolk at the weekend and while his pace and energy could stretch a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in its last ten league games, not a single goal from 52 shots and just five assists, suggest he must do better.

The enigmatic Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, meanwhile, divides fans’ opinions and has been criticised for his inconsistency under both McCarthy and previous boss, Paul Jewell, while Andy Drury has yet to score from Town’s engine room this season.

Anthony Wordsworth, is pushing for a first start but it remains to see whether or not the former Colchester United playmaker is the right man for now or considered more as a prospect for the future.

The Blues’ defence has improved no end under McCarthy but a lack of creativity and goals puts increased pressure on the back-line.

Town need to pick up points and more temporary deals may be the only option.

What do you think? Should McCarthy enter the loan market ahead of the visit of Blackpool on Saturday? Let us know at starsport@archant.co.uk