Mick McCarthy has challenged Mustapha Carayol to earn himself a longer-term deal at Ipswich Town.

The Gambian winger was snapped up on a free transfer until the end of the season following his release by Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on deadline day.

Town become the 12th stop of the 29-year-old’s career following previous stints at MK Dons, Crawley, Torquy, Kettering, Lincoln, Bristol Rovers, Middlesbrough, Brighton, Huddersfield and Leeds. He’s never clocked up 40 starts for any one of his many employers and often been used as an impact substitute.

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“Muzzy has just been a good Championship player, he’s got that ability to change games, to win games,” said McCarthy, Carayol having remained on the bench for the entirety of last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Sunderland.

“He played against us for Middlesbrough (when they beat the Blues 2-0 at the Riverside in March 2014) and he ripped us apart completely. He’s got that ability.

“We all know what wingers are like because they’re the first ones that get hauled off. But it’s generally because nobody’s giving them the ball and they can’t get it.

“We’ve got Santy (Bersant Celina) and Wardy (Grant Ward), Freddie Sears plays there too. We’ve not got that much cover in wide areas though and I think Muzzy’s a real good signing for us to put pressure on the others.”

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He continued: “I love players with a point to prove, they’re great. He’s out of contract in the summer and he’s 29.

“I guess he wants to play until he’s 35. Why shouldn’t he? He’s got six more years, where’s it going to be? Could it be here? “Wherever it’s going to be, he’s got to earn that now.

“He’s been at Forest, he’s been able to play, but he’s been a sub and he’s a been a bit-part player.

“He needs to play, he needs to get a job, he needs to stay in football. It’s great that insecurity, it makes you work harder.”

Midfielder Stephen Gleeson also joined the club on a deal to the end of the season last month after being let go by Birmingham. Asked if either of his recent recruits could end up staying longer than just a few months at Portman Road, McCarthy replied: “Why not? They are proper, solid Championship players that are here at the moment and I’ve no doubt they’ll love it here.”