Mick McCarthy hopes Emyr Huws’ productive loan stay at Ipswich Town last season is enough to convince the Cardiff midfielder to join the Blues permanently.

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock revealed that Town had seen a bid for the Welsh playmaker accepted, McCarthy keen to bring the 23-year-old back to Suffolk, after he netted three goals in 13 games after signing in January.

The Blues could face competition from Cardiff’s near rivals Bristol City, as well as Wolves, for his signature, but McCarthy believes Huws’ stint at Town may have had a lasting impression on him.

“He (Huws) was at Manchester City, then on-loan at Birmingham, he was at Huddersfield, Wigan and he’s been at Cardiff. Sometimes you find a place you enjoy,” said McCarthy.

“You enjoy the football and you find a manager that trusts you and lets you play.

“I think that’s what happened for Emyr and hopefully we can get those performances he showed last season, and better than that, if he signs permanently.”

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Huws was an instant hit at Ipswich, scoring the winner at Aston Villa in his second game for the club.

He followed that strike up with home goals against Brentford and, memorably, Newcastle.

“He was an outstanding player for us – and I mean Tom Lawrence stood out like a sore thumb with the goals he scored – certainly one of the best players,” McCarthy added.

“When he came in he was really outstanding and it will take a long time, in fact I will probably never forget that goal against Newcastle, that just about rubber-stamped our survival.

“I will be thrilled if we get him back.”

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McCarthy, who revealed he is close to completing the signing of Manchester City winger, Bersant Celina, on-loan, meanwhile, was asked about the possibility of bringing back Daryl Murphy, now the striker has been made available for loan by Newcastle.

“If they (Newcastle) want full recovery of his wages, then no,” McCarthy added.

“I would be surprised – if was the new Sunderland manager I would take him there because he’s living in the North East and he is a very good championship player. Someone of that (Sunderland) ilk, with the ability to pay those sort of wages, will have the ability to do it.

“I think that’s where he will end up at a club where he’ll be able to command that sort of money.”