Mick McCarthy admits Tom Lawrence would be out of Ipswich Town’s price range if Leicester decided to cash-in

Tom Lawrence celebrates his equaliser at Loftus Road for Ipswich Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has admitted that the club would not be able to afford to buy Leicester City loanee Tom Lawrence if his employers decided to cash in during the January transfer window.

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The versatile attacking midfielder, 22, has been in outstanding form for the Blues since joining on a season-long loan from the Premier League champions. The Foxes are not allowed to recall Lawrence to play for them, but they could sell him to another club this month – as was the case when Ryan Tunnicliffe’s temporary stay at Portman Road was cut short at the start of 2014 when Manchester United sold him to Fulham.

“If Derby, Norwich or other clubs are interested in him then he won’t be coming here because they’d pay a bigger transfer fee and he’d get more money at those clubs no doubt,” admitted McCarthy, who is keen to add a few fresh faces to his squad – including a striker.

“They tell me Sheffield Wednesday’s three lads up front are earning 100 grand a week between them. That sort of level is not us, we’re not doing it.

“We’re not going to go out and spend two and three million on fees and 20 grand a week on wages, it’s not happening. We have to get on with what we’ve got and do the best we can.”

Lawrence scored a sensational solo goal at Sheffield Wednesday at the start of November and bagged a breathtaking long-range strike in Monday’s 2-1 defeat at QPR. He also tops the club’s assists chart with four.

Speaking after the loss at Loftus Road, the Welsh international – who is contracted to Leicester until 2018 – was asked about reported interest in his signature.

He replied: “I don’t know, that’s not on me is it? I leave all that to everyone else. This is probably the best football I’ve played and I’m just enjoying it. We’ll see what happens.”