Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy is ready to call upon forgotten midfield man Adam McDonnell rather than bring the unwanted Kevin Bru back in from the cold for tonight’s Championship game at Millwall.
French-born Bru has made 94 appearances for the Blues since joining as a free agent in 2014, including 16 starts and 12 sub appearances last season.
He was placed on the transfer-list this summer though and not handed a squad number after McCarthy signed central midfielders Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi.
The aforementioned duo have been sidelined through injury and illness respectively, while Andre Dozzell and Flynn Downes have now joined Luke Hyam and Teddy Bishop on the sidelines.
There’s still been no place in the squad for Bru, with 17-year-old Tristan Nydam starting the last two games and McDonnell coming on in the wins against Luton and Barnsley.
“There’s no point me going back to Kev,” said McCarthy. “He’s great, he comes and trains, but he wants to leave now and we’re trying to help him to leave.
“With Tom Adeyemi, Emyr Huws, (Cole) Skusey, Teddy Bishop if he gets fit, we’ve got a really solid midfield. And the two young’uns, Tristan and Flynn, have given everybody something to think about.
“It’s time for him to get something else. He knows that. I’m surprised he hasn’t so far to be honest.”
Republic of Ireland youth international McDonnell arrived from Dublin-based side Shelbourne in the summer of 2015 aged 17 and quickly caught the eye of his manager, but ridiculous FIFA red-tape prevented him from playing until he turned 18.
He didn’t feature at all for the first-team last season though and, now aged 20, is in the final year of his contract.
“I didn’t expect him to be involved,” said McCarthy. “Do you know what, he wouldn’t have been had he not come back and trained as well as he has. He’s been really impressive in training.
“He’s come back with a renewed vigour for it, a better attitude. He didn’t have a good season last year, for whatever reason, but he’s looking much, much better. He’s in the squad.”
With Town looking to make it four wins from four, McCarthy said: “It’s just a start – that’s all. Millwall away will be tough.”
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