Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s a good chance new signing Massimo Luongo will make his second Blues debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Rotherham United at Portman Road.

TWTD revealed in December that the Australian international, who was on loan with the Blues in the first half of 2012/13, was training with Town and yesterday the 30-year-old signed a six-month contract following his release by Middlesbrough, where he had spent the first half of the campaign without playing.

“He’s got a lot of quality and a lot of experience,” McKenna said. “A really accomplished midfielder. Technically very good, takes the ball very well, has a really good game intelligence and therefore fits into how we play and what we want from the midfielders.

“And has a great level of experience for a 30-year-old, first at Tottenham and then in League One. Lots of Championship experience, has been round different campaigns, has been around a play-off campaign and a promotion push with Sheffield Wednesday last year as well.

“Has a lot of international experience and is a professional and a composed member of the group.

“It’s important to get a midfielder in at this point, of course, because we’ve had a long-term injuries to Dominic [Ball] and to Panutche [Camara], so we’ve been really light in that area for a couple of months.

“He gives us cover for the midfielders we have, but he also gives us some extra qualities and even when he’s not on the pitch I know he gives us a good professional and experienced head in the group.”

Luongo has said he’s keen to get going, does McKenna believe he’s ready to face the Millers? “He’ll be in the squad. We’ll have to make a decision on minutes because he hasn’t had too many competitive minutes.

“He’s played some U21 games and has been training very well but he hasn’t had too many competitive starts lately.

“We just need to be careful a little bit with minutes. If he doesn’t start, then there’s a good chance we’ll see him off the bench.”

Meanwhile, McKenna is pleased to see his former Manchester United colleague Michael Carrick has made a strong start to his time as manager of Luongo's old club Boro having won seven, drawn one and lost two of his first 10 games in charge to move the Teessiders up to fifth in the Championship.

“I’m delighted to see their start and obviously they’re off to a good start with him and have climbed the table. They’re playing very well as well,” he said.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the results and on bits of the games as well, so that’s great to see.”

Photo: ITFC

grinch added 15:57 - Jan 6 underwhelming really on this individual hope Mckenna has seen something in training
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Linkboy13 added 16:31 - Jan 6 Will need games under his belt so he's up and ready for the more important league games so almost certain to start tomorrow. Not going to write him off before he's started like some numpties on here will judge him over a period of time.
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jackwalker422 added 17:37 - Jan 6 Perfect signing for a "happy clapper" like me. If we didn't sign him I'd have been happy because Mckenna would have adjudged him not suitable for us at this time.... But now we've signed him it's a perfect signing! Zero risk as he's seen him in training for several weeks. Got to know his personality and whether he gels with the squad. How often do you get a decent pedigree player at this level, on a free, and with very low risk because you get to try before you buy!?! He might not tear up trees like hopefully the next January signings will.... But he's considerably low risk which is perfect for our need at his position at this time. Right player At the right time In the right position For the right (no) fee Having already trialled him

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