Mick McCarthy has admitted he needs to keep Kevin Bru at Ipswich Town for the time being.

The midfielder seemed destined to depart Portman Road after being granted a move in the summer and beginning the season without a squad number, only for a deadline-day move to Toulouse to fall through.

A string of midfield injuries has brought Bru in from the cold, with the Mauritius international making nine appearances to date, but the 28-year-old is still open to a departure ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.

MORE: ‘I’m not offering anybody any long-termism’ – McCarthy quizzed on targets, budget and his future

McCarthy said he has yet to receive any concrete interest in Bru and, in any case, would not allow him to go while so many players are sidelined.

“Not at the moment, no, and to be honest I’ve not had people banging my door down,” he said, when asked if Bru would still be allowed to leave.

“We’re two weeks into the transfer window. I have no intentions of that happening.

“That might change if someone comes in and offers a three-year deal somewhere, he might want to go, but that’s not been the case.”

Bru could be involved again when the Blues face Leeds tomorrow.

MORE: Bialkowski out of Leeds clash with Webster, Smith and Ward also absent