Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has conceded that he has targets in mind should he lose the services of Aaron Cresswell before the end of the transfer window.
The left-back has been linked with a handful of Premier League clubs in recent days, including Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
However, while McCarthy has admitted that he has scouted some potential replacements for the 23-year-old, no offers have been received for his signature.
"We have scouting systems in place for potential replacements, whether that's a left-back, midfielder or forward player. You have to be prepared," McCarthy is quoted as saying by the East Anglian Daily Times. "This is all hypothetical though. We're talking about Cressie and nobody has bid for him.
"You have to remember that these sort of deals have to be right for everybody. If Palace wanted him then I'm sure they would include a relegation clause because that's what teams do. He might see himself better than that and not want that."
Liverpool-born Cresswell joined the Tractor Boys in 2011 from Tranmere Rovers.
Liam Apicella
