‘I’d like to have my foot in the door’ - McCarthy wants to speak to Tottenham boss Pochettino about Carter-Vickers’ future

Cameron Carter-Vickers started the season at Sheffield United but is now wearing Ipswich blue. Picture: PA/STEVE WALLER Archant

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy wants to speak to Tottenham counterpart Mauricio Pochettino about Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, but knows patience will be required if the Blues are to keep the youngster at Portman Road.

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Carter-Vickers is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur Carter-Vickers is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur

The one-cap United States international has been a stand-out performer since arriving from Tottenham in January, having previously been on loan at tomorrow’s opponents Sheffield United, with McCarthy keen to talk about keeping the centre-half for next season.

The Blues boss, who himself is out of contract in the summer, knows the youngster may well be out of Ipswich’s price bracket for a permanent move but would hope to have his ‘foot in the door’ if Tottenham opted to loan the defender out again.

“That’s the $50million question... but it might actually be the £5million question,” McCarthy joked when asked about the club’s chances of keeping Carter-Vickers.

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Loan signing Carter-Vickers, pictured during his debut at Bolton Picture Pagepix Loan signing Carter-Vickers, pictured during his debut at Bolton Picture Pagepix

“I don’t know what his value is but he’s been excellent for us – really, really good.

“I’d love to have that conversation with Mauricio Pochettino to see what he wants to do with him, but it’s a futile conversation almost because unless they’ve decided already that he’s not going to play for Spurs and they want to loan him out, then you might get a chance.

“This year the transfer window shuts on August 9 but the loan deals still go until the end of August. We can’t buy anyone after then but you can take loan deals – I think that’s when it’s all going to happen.

“I’d like to have my foot in the door if he’s going to be loaned out again, that’s for sure.”

Jordan Rhodes is stopped by Cameron Carter-Vickers Picture Pagepix Jordan Rhodes is stopped by Cameron Carter-Vickers Picture Pagepix

McCarthy was surprised the Blades opted to end Carter-Vickers’ loan at the start of the year but, after a tip off from the Blues’ head of academy coaching and former Tottenham coach Bryan Klug, was delighted to be able to bring him to Portman Road.

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“I was extremely, and pleasantly surprised,” McCarthy said.

“We were looking for a defender and, as usual in January, it was a case of players being too expensive, or they were going somewhere else or the other club was waiting for someone else to come in first.

Carter-Vickers battles for the ball with the Wolves' Ryan Bennett. Picture: Steve Waller Carter-Vickers battles for the ball with the Wolves' Ryan Bennett. Picture: Steve Waller

“Then Bryan Klug said to me he’d had a call and would I be interested in Cameron. I said ‘absolutely, yes’.

“I was so surprised. Not that Chris (Wilder) let him go though, because he’s got good players and they are still doing well. He might have had players coming back from injury, players he was signing and too many loan players. I get that.

“I was delighted we could get him though and I’m even more delighted now I’ve seen how he’s played.”

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Ipswich have conceded just five goals in the eight games Carter-Vickers has started since his move, with McCarthy pleased with how he has adapted to playing in a back three alongside Adam Webster and captain Luke Chambers.

“I think it’s coincided with us playing three at the back. I think they’ve all enjoyed playing it and I think it’s made us a little bit more solid.

“Whatever I play in front of them we’ve got five big defenders who can defend free-kicks, corners and throw-ins. That makes a big difference because in this league you can play great and still get beat by a set-piece.

“He’s just added to what we’ve got. He’s been very, very good, but so have Chambo (Luke Chambers) and Webbo (Adam Webster).”