McGOLDRICK ON WAY TO FOXES?
IPSWICH chairman Marcus Evans now has a dilemma on his hands: take the £8 million that Leicester have bid for star striker David McGoldrick or keep an unhappy player at the club?
Manager Mick McCarthy admitted after this draw that he was firmly on the side of the player after leaving him out of the trip to the iPro Stadium.
And it now appears inevitable the former Coventry and Nottingham Forest man will be on his way back to the Midlands.
“David did actually have a dead leg, but I don’t know if anyone believes me,” admitted McCarthy.
“If it was the cup final, he would have been nursed through.
“Leicester have bid, but I need everyone at 100 per cent. Marcus doesn’t want anything to happen.
“It’s not unstoppable. He could stop it if he could.
“If David had got injured, he would never have forgiven himself and neither would I.
“Of course, it’s distracted him. If a Premier League side comes in for you, near your house, with more money – it would distract me.
“It would be a right kick in the b******s for us.
“Marcus doesn’t want to do it and neither do I. I don’t want to lose him physically, but I’d hate to lose him emotionally.
“But, if it were me, I would be putting my boots on with a load of resentment and a ‘can’t be a***ed’ attitude.”
Ipswich deserved this point, given to them by Christophe Berra after a serious injury to Jeff Hendrick had hit Derby, who had taken the lead through Chris Martin.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder was immediately ruled out of international duty after going to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
“I felt it was a game we should have won – we had the chances to,” said McClaren, after Hendrick had gone down under pressure from Berra and Tommy Smith.
“We caused our own problems after a fantastic start. We then seemed to stop and lost the momentum.
“Jeff was down six minutes and that killed the game. It was not a consistent performance.
“Jeff has gone to hospital. I can’t say any more. He has been playing well and you need your best players.”
McCarthy can be proud of a young side that included full debuts for Jonathan Parr, Kevin Bru and Teddy Bishop in McGoldrick’s absence.
But he will not have been happy about the goal conceded when a poor miskick by Luke Hyam led to a fourth of the season from Martin on 13 minutes.
Dean Gerken saved the ex- Norwich striker’s effort and Parr cleared off the line from Johnny Russell, before Martin eventually bundled in his fourth of the season.
Derby were never able to respond after Hendrick’s injury had delayed the game for six minutes.
Ipswich were level seven minutes after the break when Berra headed in his third goal in three games from Paul Anderson’s 52nd-minute free-kick.
Anderson went close moments later from Jay Tabb’s pull-back but shot straight at Lee Grant.
Derby had chances late on but lacked conviction as substitute Leon Best headed a Craig Bryson corner over, while Gerken saved majestically to keep out a Jamie Ward effort from the edge of the area.
Martin agreed a new four-year deal on Friday but could not crown it with a late strike that was agonisingly deflected wide.
“Chris’s deal is pleasing,” added McClaren. It is job done. He scores and makes assists.
“He is a focal point, a threat and one of the top players in the Championship.”