Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy will be without midfielder Conor Grant for Saturday’s home game with Preston North End, as he revealed there could be a deal in the offing for free agent striker Leon Best.

Everton loanee Grant remains sidelined with a groin problem and won’t be risked before the international break.

Apart from Grant, and long-term injury victims Luke Hyam, David McGoldrick and Giles Coke, McCarthy has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

“Conor has been out training, not with us, but with the physios, and they are really pleased with him, but it is too soon for Saturday” said McCarthy.

“I have got the team to play Saturday, so before a two-week break it would be ridiculous if we rushed him back and he was out for another two weeks.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who wouldn’t be drawn with the EADT’s story linking him with Newcastle striker Adam Armstrong, hinted their could be a deal on the table for Best, 29.

The striker is without a club but scored for Rotherham in the Millers’ 1-0 win at Portman Road in March, and is a full Republic of Ireland international.

McCarthy said: “He trained with us today and will train with us tomorrow.

“There is a potential deal on the cards for him.

“He brings something different and if you consider Daryl Murphy has got two or three international breaks coming up, there’s potential for (Murphy) to come back with a stress of a strain.

“Didzy (David McGoldrick) is out until November, the next 10-12 weeks, so an extra bit of firepower won’t do us any harm.

Meanwhile, Former Town transfer target, West Ham midfielder Martin Samuelsen, has joined the Blues’ Championship rivals, Blackburn, on a season-long loan.”

McCarthy confirmed he had another target in mind and said he was not looking at another young player, rather one with more experience.