Ipswich Town defender Piotr Malarczyk has joined League One side Southend United on loan until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old, who was a fans’ favourite at his hometown club of Korona Kielce in Poland, moved to the Blues when they triggered a release clause of reportedly around £8,500 last summer.

Since then he has made only three starts – all in the cups – and just three Championship substitute appearances. His last game was the FA Cup replay defeat at Portsmouth in which he was sent off having picked up two yellow cards after conceding a penalty.

Recently, having been out of action for three weeks due to a kidney stone, he has been out of the senior matchday 18 and playing in the Under-21s side.

Phil Brown’s Southend are currently ninth in the third tier, three points adrift of the play-off places.

Speaking in the Polish media recently, Malarczyk said he wasn’t ready to give up on his time at Town and had two choices – either to ‘complain that the manager’s not giving me enough chances or train very hard and show him that I am always ready to play. I am choosing the latter’.

McCarthy praised the centre-half’s attitude, saying: “He’s a wonderful example as a pro. He went down to Cardiff with the Under-21s and played very well. I’ve nothing but respect for Peter.

“If you analyse the position he plays, we’ve had three players that have played right-back, centre-back and centre-back (Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra) almost every game. Peter’s one that just can’t get in the team. He’s not as good as the lads who are in there.”

Meanwhile, Ipswich have confirmed that they have extended Fulham midfielder Ben Pringle’s loan until the end of the season.