Ipswich Town are close to announcing the signing of Irish left-winger Stephen Hunt on a short-term deal until January.

The 32-year-old was released by Wolves in the summer and recently called upon his former boss club boss Mick McCarthy to see if he could train at Playford Road to maintain his fitness.

McCarthy, who took Hunt to Molineux from Hull for £3m in August 2010, accepted the request but played down the prospect of a deal saying that the experienced wide man was not short of interest and that he himself had plenty of left midfield options.

The ex-Crystal Palace, Brentford and Reading man missed much of last season due to calf and hernia problems before returning to action in March but couldn’t prevent his former club being relegated into League One.

The EADT understands a deal could be done in time for Town’s game at Blackpool on Saturday.

McCarthy has confirmed that Tyrone Mings will replace the suspended Aaron Cresswell at left-back on Saturday, while right-winger Paul Anderson is a doubt having felt a groin injury in training yesterday.

– See tomorrow’s EADT and Ipswich Star for all the latest Blues news.