Ipswich Town: Mick McCarthy to stick with free transfers

McCarthy has yet to sign a player for a transfer fee at Portman Road

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy will not spend money on transfers, despite the sale of Aaron Cresswell to West Ham.

Defender Cresswell joined the Hammers this month in a deal reportedly worth £3.75m, but McCarthy will continue with his policy of only signing free agents.

"We're not going to be going out and buying anybody or paying money for anyone," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It will be Bosmans and loan deals. We've done it so far, but what we have got is funds for wages."

Town's three summer signings of Cameron Stewart,Alex Henshall and Jonathan Parr have all been out of contract players.

And none of McCarthy's signings since arriving at Portman Road in November 2012 have commanded a transfer fee.

Regardless, Ipswich's ninth place in the Championship last season was their highest finish since 2009.

Striker David McGoldrick, Town top scorer last season with 16 goals, is making progress in his recovery from a knee ligament injury.

The 26-year-old missed the last three months of the 2013-14 campaign and has seen a specialist in the USA to aid his recovery.

"He was in America for his strengthening and he will be continuing that," said McCarthy.

"I'm hoping that he will be out with the balls next week. He's progressing, he's doing OK."