Ipswich Town winger Paul Anderson has found going on the defensive tough this season, but his manager insists he is doing fine.

The summer signing from Bristol City has been asked by Mick McCarthy to play further infield than he is accustomed to and revealed his early appearances for Town have been a learning curve.

On the face of it, the 25-year-old looked something of a peripheral figure during the 3-1 win against Middlesbrough on Saturday, but McCarthy dug deeper, ahead of tonight’s clash with Yeovil at Portman Road.

“I’m not sure he thought he played that well against Middlesbrough as he did not get much of the ball, but he restricted one of the league’s most attacking full-backs, George Friend, a lot of the time,” said McCarthy.

“Playing narrower, he also attracted their centre-half and full-back to him in the box when Luke Chambers scored with the header at the far post from right-back.

“He has to tuck in and play narrower, but if he can get wide then I also encourage him to get at his man. But as a unit we like to stay solid and he has shown he can do the dirty side of the game.”

Speaking prior to tonight’s Championship clash with the Glovers, Anderson, signed as a 16-year-old by Liverpool, from Hull, confessed: “Even though I am still playing as a winger, it’s a different job and that’s been difficult during the first couple of games, with regards to my position and where I am supposed to be.

“But whatever job he (McCarthy) wants me to do I will do and hopefully in the next couple of games I’ll have got it down to a tee.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who has a fully-fit squad for tonight’s clash, has ruled out national media reports linking him with a loan move for Hull City striker Matt Fryatt.

“It’s bonkers, nonsense,” said McCarthy.