Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy believes it would take a "bonkers offer" to prise free-scoring striker Daryl Murphy away from the club.

The powerful front man added a brace to his tally of 16 for the season in an emphatic 4-2 win at in-form Brentford.

That leaves Saints’ FA Cup third round opponents just a point behind Championship leaders AFC Bournemouth.

Murphy’s displays this season have led to rumours of a move away from Portman Road, but McCarthy will not let that enter his mind.

He said: "If we get a bonkers offer for him, it's beyond my control, but we are going well so why would we sell our best players?

"I'm not going to worry about it because it's something I can't affect."

Murphy gave his side the dream start after 19 seconds with a strike his manager admitted "changed the whole dynamic" of the game.

"To get a start like that against a team that's been dominant at home gives you a major advantage," McCarthy said.

"Brentford are a really good team and they were pressing to get back in the game, took chances and left Murph one on one which is always a mistake."

Murphy registered his and Town's second after just 21 minutes, outmuscling Tony Craig and rounding goalkeeper David Button to slot home.

Paul Anderson slammed home former Bee Jay Tabb's low cross after half an hour and although substitute Sam Saunders scored two late consolations past ex-Saints keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, Tommy Smith netted in-between to make sure the home side never threatened a comeback.

McCarthy, whose men are unbeaten in 10 league games as they chase a Premier League place for the first time since 2002, added: “At two down they were open. We were clinical today but that's not always been the case.”