Centre-half Christophe Berra says striker Daryl Murphy, who completed his £3 million move to Newcastle yesterday, will be missed but says the Irishman will be replaced, just as other departing players have been before.

“It is disappointing to lose Murphy,” Berra said. “He has done very well here and we will miss him. He is a big, strong physical presence who can score goals but that’s football.

“He will be replaced, we have seen it before when we have lost players. All the best to him. It is a good opportunity for him, which will never come along again.

“Newcastle are a big club that pay big wages and it’s the nature of the business. It is just the nature of things if someone comes along and offers you more money, whether you are an electrician, a footballer - whatever.”

Looking back on Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Preston, the Scotland international said: “We played well in the first half and in the second, well, we knew what to expect. They put in plenty of long ball and knock-ons but we dealt with that.

“Bart didn’t really have any saves to make, apart from a couple in the first half. Preston are a good side, they are tough to play against and are well organised.

“It was good to get the three points before the international break and a bit of a breather.”

He added: “We could have got another and it would have been nice to win by two or three but it wasn’t to be.

“We kept a clean sheet which is always good for the back four and the keeper, but everyone worked hard from back to front.

“Even against Norwich we defended well so it was good to do that again and get three points this time.”

Manager Mick McCarthy switched Adam Webster for Tommy Smith in the right central defensive role alongside Berra, the summer signing from Portsmouth having got the nod ahead of the New Zealand international in previous games.

“They are both good players and both can count themselves unlucky not to be in the team when the other is in,” the 31-year-old added. “Tommy came in and had a very good game.”

Grant Ward continued his excellent start to his Town career, netting the winning goal in the 15th minute to go with his debut hat-trick in the 4-2 opening day victory against Barnsley.

“Grant has started very well,” Berra continued. “He has set his standards high with the goals he has scored and now he has to do it on a consistent basis throughout the season.

“He is a great lad, keeps himself to himself but has fitted in well. Grant has had a great start and he has shown he can win us games.”

Berra says the club's staff will be looking to add to the squad before Wednesday’s 11pm deadline.

“We have brought in a couple of good new attack-minded signings, Conor Grant and Grant Ward have done well and I’m sure the gaffer and scouts are working hard to bring in others.

“Other teams around us are bringing in players but we have to stick to what we are good at. We have a solid squad.”

Berra will spend the week with the Scotland squad ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier away against Malta on Sunday.

Photo: TWTD

BroskiBeen added 18:51 - Aug 29 The nature of someone offers you more money, speak for yourself Berra, more to life than money your on a fair sack as it is, rather be on £5K a week and be top dog than £10K a week and b much but I guess I'm a weirdo
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OldClactonBlue added 10:45 - Aug 30 If Chambers is indeed the highest earner the powers that be have got it very badly wrong!!
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RRanger added 12:07 - Aug 30 How do you know that our highest wage is £5000 and to Luke Chambers, LondonBlue99? Methinks you are talking b*ll*cks.
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