Town boss eyeing up pre-season trip to Ireland with a number of other friendlies closer to home also being planned

 Mick McCarthy is looking to take his players to Ireland as part of Town’s pre-season campaign and has also hinted at friendlies much closer to home.
 The Blues boss is in the process of firming up the build-up to 2013/14, although he admits to being no fan of pre-season.


“I didn’t enjoy pre-season as a player and I don’t as a manager but it’s necessary,” Mick told the Club website.

 “In the past I’ve taken teams to Carton House in Kildare, Ireland and that has worked out really well. It’s a great venue with fantastic facilities so that’s something we are looking at.

“It’s not so much a tour because we’d play just the one game at the end of the week but it’s a chance for the players to work in a great environment and bond over the week, with any new players having the chance to settle in with the group.  
“We’re also looking at playing the likes of Colchester and Southend, local clubs because we don’t want to be travelling three hours for a game. We need to have the time to prepare properly for a match and recover properly.”