Mick McCarthy hopes Ipswich Town get to see a fit and firing Emyr Huws when the Welshman returns next season - while also revealing just how much the club spent on the attacking midfielder.
Following an impressive loan spell last season, the Blues made Huws’ move permanent in the summer in a deal with Cardiff widely reported to be in the region of £1million. However, the departing McCarthy has revealed the true figure was actually significally less.
Huws has had his season ruined by injury, first by an Achilles problem and then a knee issue, but McCarthy hopes the 24-year-old can have a better time of things next season under a new manager.
“He’s been on that road to recovery and there was something else that needed looking at, so hopefully for him he will be alright for pre-season,” McCarthy said.
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“He was £250,000 so it (his transfer fee) was hardly earth-shattering – I don’t think you’ll find he was any more than that. That’s exactly what he was.
“We saw when he was here on loan how good a player he is and we saw him against Sheffield Wednesday when he played, the Newcastle game when he scored.
“I’ve admired him since I saw him play for Birmingham against Watford when he was on loan there and I’ve tried to sign him on a number of occasion since.
“Having managed to sign him I was delighted so we were bitterly disappointed to lose him because he’s a good footballer.
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“He would have been (a key player) this season so I don’t see any reason why he won’t be.
“If we’d had Skusey (Cole Skuse), Tom Adeyemi, Dozzer (Andre Dozzell) and Teddy Bishop fit then we’d have had a pretty good midfield, that’s for certain, and great competition for places.
“Emyr will be (a key player) so fingers crossed for him because he’s a great lad.”
Huws took to Twitter this week to reveal he had undergone an operation on his injured knee, which he says is ready to begin preparations for next season.
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“Last week or so has been quite stessfull but the opp went well this morning,” he wrote on Tuesday. “Feeling blessed. Knee is all fully healed and ready for next season. Now for the second half of the rehab to kick on. Thanks to the brilliant surgeon Dr Williams as always.”
Huws has been able to make just five appearances this season due to his combination of injuries.
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