Conor Sammon News Today

Two World Cup qualifiers in the immmediate aftermath of the Giovanni Trapattoni era were most memorable for their dramatic sideshow.

Town boss Mick McCarthy warns that Saturday’s opponents Wigan Athletic will still be a threat, despite the Latics current position of second-bottom of the Championship, eight points from safety.

Town manager Mick McCarthy says that although he has started the search for another striker, no new signing is currently imminent. On-loan Derby frontman Conor Sammon left the Blues earlier in the week having had his season-loan spell cut short, prior to joining Rotherham yesterday.

Town midfielder Stephen Hunt has hailed the Portman Road team spirit as the best he has encountered in a career that took him to Crystal Palace, Brentford, Reading, Hull and Wolves before coming to Suffolk last season.

Midfielder Kevin Bru has been ruled out of Saturday’s game at Charlton and the home match against Leeds United the following week. Central defender Christophe Berra is suspended for the game at the Valley, but better news is that Stephen Hunt is fit after a hamstring problem and manager Mick McCarthy is “confident” that left-back Tyrone Mings will also be OK.

TWTD understands that Leeds striker or winger Noel Hunt is expected at Town on Thursday morning to complete the formalities on a loan deal through to January, the clubs having agreed terms. The switch is with a view to a permanent move.

Boss Mick McCarthy is delighted that his own players Tyrone Mings, David McGoldrick, Teddy Bishop and Daryl Murphy are currently the talk of the Town rather than just Premier League loanee Jonny Williams.

Tommy Smith smashed home his second goal of the season from close range seven minutes from time as Town beat bogey side Watford 1-0 at Portman Road to climb to fourth in the Championship. The central defender was first to a loose ball after a Kevin Bru shot had been blocked following a well-worked freekick.

Mick McCarthy admits that he doesn’t know quite what to expect from Blackpool under new manager Lee Clark at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. Clark was appointed the Seasiders’ new boss yesterday following Jose Riga’s departure earlier in the week.

Town boss Paul Hurst says he’s received few calls so far pushing free agent strikers in his direction, the Blues having lost frontmen Jon Walters and Ellis Harrison to injury in the last week. Hurst is also not yet considering recalling striker Aaron Drinan from his spell with Vanarama National League Sutton United.