IMPORTING COLE IS REAL VALUE FOR FRUGAL MICK

HE was picked up for nothing but Ipswich

manager Mick McCarthy reckons midfielder

Cole Skuse could be the signing of the summer. Released to cut costs after Bristol

City were relegated to League One, the 26-year-old playmaker won man

last week. of the match on his debut against Millwall And his manager was full of praise

for a player he believes is already good enough

to play in the Premier League.

(the Bristol “Before I signed him,Sean O’Driscol City manager) said to me:‘Mick,

if you like him now, just wait until you work with him

– you’ll like him even more’. of

“And he was dead right. He has an understanding what you ask and how you want

the side to play. And he’s an elegant footballer as well.

but Bristol “I tried to sign him in the January window, City wouldn’t sell him.That shows what

they thought of him. “To get him for nowt is a bargain.

He’s probably at his optimum now. He’s battle-hardened.

He’s at his toughest, his fittest, he know show

to manage himself and manage a game.Those years

between 26 and 30 are your best. “I think he’ll turn out to be one

of the best signings this summer, and not just for us. “I mean when you sit down at

the end of the season and analyse who got good value for money, Cole will

play in the Prebe up there. For me, he could definitely mier League.”