Former Pompey defender Webster given Premier League backing

The Blues Academy graduate left Fratton Park in the summer for Portman Road, with the Championship side spending around £700,000 to acquire his services – with Matt Clarke heading in the other direction as part of the deal.

And having already caught the eye at Ipswich, 21-year-old Webster – from West Witterings – has now been backed by McCarthy to ply his trade in the top flight.

Speaking to the East Anglia Daily Times, McCarthy said: ‘It’s always nice, when you go out and spend money on someone, when they turn out to be good.’

‘We’ve been taking free transfers and Bosmans all the time and you are taking a chance because, generally, there’s a reason for that being the case.

‘This the most we’ve spent on a player and, to be fair, it looks like it.

‘He’s a very capable footballer. He’s not been able to show that much so far, but that’s because he’s come up two divisions and is learning his trade again.

‘He’ll play in the Premier League – whether that’s with us or with someone else. People will be watching him, there’s no doubt about that.

‘He’s quick, he’s very comfortable with the ball, he can break forward with the ball and he’s got two good feet.

‘What I like about him more than anything though is he’s bought into our defensive side of the game. He’s got better and better. I’m really pleased with him.’