Importing Cole Skuse 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 of the match on his debut against Millwall last week.

And his manager was full of praise for a player he believes is already good enough to play in the Premier League.

“Before I signed him, Sean O’Driscol (the Bristol City manager) said to me: ‘Mick, if you like him now, just wait until you work with him – you’ll like him even more’.

“And he was dead right. He has an understanding of what you ask and how you want the side to play. And he’s an elegant footballer as well. “I tried to sign him in the January window, but Bristol 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 be up there. For me, he could definitely play in the Premier League.”