SCOTT Loach and Elliott Hewitt may have impressed, but that won’t stop Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy trying to bring in a keeper and right-back on loan over the coming weeks.

Stephen Henderson played the first 13 games of McCarthy’s reign before an ankle injury suffered in training cut short his loan spell from West Ham.

Loach has played well over the last three games, but McCarthy – who the EADT understands missed out to rivals Norwich when attempting to sign Nottingham Forest’s Lee Camp – appears reluctant to give the fans’ favourite a lengthy run in the side.

“Yes, I would,” said McCarthy, when asked if we would like to bring in another keeper before the end of the January transfer window.

“Hendo is still an option, but that might have to be with a 24-hour recall which would leave us exposed.”

Tomorrow’s game at rock-bottom Bristol City is the last match that loanee right-back Bradley Orr is available for before he returns to parent club Blackburn Rovers.

Teenager Hewitt impressed on his full debut at Aston Villa, but McCarthy says he is not ready for a prolonged spell in the starting line-up yet.

“I’m looking to replace Bradley when he goes back,” said the Blues boss.

“Elliott has got a really bright future, but he’s not played that much football. I’d like to have some more experienced cover, someone who has played more games.

“Putting Carlos (Edwards) or Luke (Hyam) there, you’re kind of filling in. I haven’t got that many players anyway.”

He added: “Bradley has been a really good addition and I’m very sad that he’s going back. I don’t actually think he wants to go back because he’s enjoying playing.

“Circumstances have changed at Blackburn, though, and if he goes back and is playing there he’ll be happy because he’ll be able to see his twin boys and will be sleeping in his own bed. But isn’t it lovely that he wants to stay here because he’s enjoying it?”

McCarthy confirmed that centre-back Patrick Kisnorbo will have his one-month loan from Leeds extended until the end of the season. Meanwhile, there are no plans to sign Kieron Dyer. The 34-year-old is currently training with the Blues, having been released by QPR.

“He’s training with us,” said McCarthy. “I’ve not had any discussion with him and he’s talking to other clubs as far as I’m aware.”

The Blues boss added: “We’d like to get players in before the window closes, permanent ones, but we are not having much joy at the moment. We’re looking at loans now more than signings.

“I know I said that I didn’t want to do that but at least if it’s window-to-window, they stay with us until the end of the season.

“There are players available on a free, but if they are only short-term signings then it means you pay them until July 30 even though the season ends on May 4.

“Paying them for three months football and then three months to sit on the beach is just not viable.”

– For full match preview, see tomorrow’s EADT.