Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy says he hopes to add two or three more players to his squad before his side’s Championship’s opener at Brentford on August 8.

The Blues boss says he is no rush to sign defenders though, despite the fact that Matt Clarke is set to join League Two side Portsmouth.

Ipswich won 3-2 in a pre-season friendly at Cambridge United last night, midfielder Jay Tabb playing at left-back in the absence of Jonathan Parr (thigh) and Clarke (who played on trial for Pompey with view to a loan switch).

While there is much excitement surrounding the strength in depth of Town’s front four of Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick, Brett Pitman and Freddie Sears, the back line is looking a little thin.

Luke Chambers, Christophe Berra, Tommy Smith and Parr are first choice, with back-up being provided by academy graduates.

“I look at the team photo compared to the one we had this time last year and I’m a lot more happy,” said McCarthy. “I’ve got 15 hard-nosed pros in the outfield. I’m pleased with the squad but I’m trying to add more – hopefully two or three more players.”

On Clarke’s move, the Blues boss said: “I think he’s a very talented player and it was sad last year that he had to stick around and be sixth, seventh choice defender. I wasn’t really prepared to let him out though because we didn’t have that much back-up. He needs to play now though.

“Portsmouth are having a look at him, he’s played for them tonight (against Coventry) and Taff (scout Ian Evans) has watched him for us. We’ll see if they like him and do something if they do.”

When it was put to him that he hasn’t got many senior defenders, he replied: “I haven’t, but I like Josh (Emmanuel) and Myles (Kenlock). I don’t think they will sustain us throughout the whole season, but I think they could pop in and play on odd occasions.

“Jonny Parr is to come back of course, I like Josh Yorwerth too – I think he’s done alright. I’m not rushing out to get defenders if Clarkey goes. We’ll see what we’ve got.”

On his side’s narrow win over League Two outfit Cambridge, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Brett Pitman and David McGoldrick all on target, he said: “I thought we played really well first half and played some good football.

“We conceded from a restart (a corner), it was a great header from a great delivery, and for all the football you can always concede one like that.

“Didzy (McGoldrick) then gets the back four and the goalkeeper off the hook with the winner because they’d all just slowed it down and it was an awful free-kick to give away. We were messing around with the ball and it costs us.”

With Pitman limping off early in the second-half, McCarthy said: “He had ice on his foot at half-time, said he was okay, but obviously he wasn’t when he tried it. We’ll find out more in the morning.”

See here for a full report from last night’s game. An image gallery can be found here.