Boss Roy Keane has confirmed that left-back Mark Kennedy will miss Tuesday’s game at Watford and will be out for around three weeks having injured his hamstring in the closing stages of Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Coventry. The veteran former Republic of Ireland international is set to undergo a scan later today.

Keane said: “Mark Kennedy’s damaged his hamstring and he’s out for a number of weeks. He’s due a to go for a scan later this afternoon.

“That’s a blow for us, but young Shane O’Connor is up and ready, he’s been doing quite well in the reserves. We’re disappointed but we’re not too bad in terms of cover. That’s why we keep going on about needing a touch stronger squad.

“There are a couple of other lads carrying knocks and we’ll finalise things this evening before we travel tomorrow morning.”

Kennedy previously suffered a hamstring injury to his other leg at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season.

Loan re-signing Jack Colback will be in the squad for Tuesday’s game, although Keane says the 20-year-old may not be thrown straight into the starting line-up.

The Blues boss says he is continuing to look for another loanee, confirming that he is after a striker and has a number of possible targets in his thoughts.

Photo: Action Images

hampstead_blue added 14:27 - Oct 18 Darn shame. He looked secure and a great outlet in the Leeds and Coventry games. Sweet left foot. I'd say he was a really shrewd signing. He'll be missed.
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Pessimistic added 14:34 - Oct 18 Forget the striker thing. keane is after an attacking midfielder who is currently plying his trade in the Premier as a squad member. He has played as a striker in his early days but does not really have the pace anymore.
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whoppit added 14:42 - Oct 18 Great !!!! Also, anyone know if any of these loanee's have a recall clause? I hate having a team of loaners anyway, no matter if they are talented. Why didn't we bid for them or is Marcus saving the cash for our next manager?
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brian_a_mul added 15:01 - Oct 18 Sparky is definately a loss but we have good cover there. Shane O Connor is a good Left back and Delaney can also play there. Lets hope Peters (RB) doesnt pick up any injury or suspensions. Colback is a great addition, he adds flexibility to the team. He can play RB (if required), in midfield and on the right of midfield. He is a talented player, consistant and doesnt seem to tire. With Andros and Carlos in the wide midfield, its likely Colback will replace Hyam in the team with Leadbitter moving to holding role. Colback will bring a little dynamism to midfield which we lack from our current central players. He may even oust Carlos on the right if he plays well enough. The midfield is interesting with Norris, Livermore, Hyam, Leadbitter, Colback, Townsend, Edwards all looking for starting roles and with Civelli returning, its fiercly competitive. Plenty of options buts its looks as of 4-5-1 is here to stay!

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ChambersM added 15:04 - Oct 18 Colback cannot play right back. If keane had any sense he would play wickham there before colback.
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brian_a_mul added 15:54 - Oct 18 He would definately be wasted at RB ChambersM. With Eastman and T.Smith also possible RB cover maybe it wont come to that, hopefully! I think Keane sees Colback as a first 11 player though. Personally I think Hyam will be the one to lose out to Colback. But with so many games coming up im sure we will see some rotation of the midfield staff. I personaly would go 4-4-2 with Edwards-Norris-Colback-Townsend to offer pace, energy and attitude across the midfield for home games. Scotland and Priskin/Wickham up front. For the tougher away games, 4-5-1 is working well. Considering our current players what are your ideas on starting midfield?

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jas0999 added 16:10 - Oct 18 I am very pleased to see that Roy is after a striker. Amazing this game of football though, just when it looked as though we had great strength at left back - both O'Dea and Kennedy pick up injuries. Still O'Conner is decent enough. Agree with brian_a_mul : at home a 4-4-2 with Edwards-Norris-Colback-Townsend; looks exciting. Leadbitter has been out of touch in recent weeks (also delivery is not so good!), but would be a good away day player in a 4-5-1 (which seems to work away). Still think we need a decent partner for Scotland though who showed what he can do when playing alongside another.

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SouperJim added 16:16 - Oct 18 Isn't Colback left footed?
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EssexWellerhead added 16:22 - Oct 18 This is a loss but for the time being I'd either switch Jaime to LB (as he's played there before) and use Troy Brown at RB as both these lads have some pace to counterract opposition with speed in it, or I'd push Smithy out to LB and bring back Damo to the centre. As for an additional Striker? Even Stevie Wonder could see we're crying out for one but as to who we should go for I've no idea!

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brian_a_mul added 16:56 - Oct 18 We are OK for strikers I think. Priskin, Wickham and Scotland are good enough for this level. We have Lambe and Ronan Murray as back up. We could have 20 top strikers but we would still end up playing 4-5-1 at home I fear. Keane has found a great defensive formation thats works marvelously for games where we dont have the majority of possession (typically away games) but at home the imputus is on us to come forward with the ball more. This could be one reason why we tend to start games slowly as we are not set up to dominate the ball. We have two tough away games coming up (Watford & Forrest) and I cant see us using 2 up front any time soon. In fairness Keane should stick with 4-5-1 for these tough away games but I hope he has the courage to try 2 up front in the next home game (Northampton in Cup on 26th) followed by Milwall at home on sat 30th.

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Keaneish added 16:58 - Oct 18 Team for tomorrow night. Got to be... Fulop Peters Mcauley Delaney O Connor Leadbitter Townsend Norris Colback Edwards Scotland Bench: Murphy, Smith, Eastman, Livermore, Hyam, Priskin, Wickham
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brian_a_mul added 17:10 - Oct 18 Interesting, I cant see Keane throwing Delaney in to first team for Watford game ahead of Smith though. Keane always likes to throw a surprise in his line ups so u never know!
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ozzy_itfc added 18:35 - Oct 18 Colback is left footed and can play at lb not rb, we've got loads of options anyway in my opinion o'coonor is as good as Kennedy anyway and peters can go lb with eastman going to rb and colback can play lb. I disagree that we need strikers, another striker would be nice but we don't need one, priskin and Scotland should do the job well in the championship and with Connor coming along nicely. Priskin has 3 goals and scotland has 4 but considering how much more pitch time Scotland has had I think were underestimaing priskin

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slowerball added 19:45 - Oct 18 Not again... what a poove. Shane O'Connor to play tomorrow night then. Not good all this, with O'Dea out.
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Back_The_Boss added 20:07 - Oct 18 Keaneish - Livermore has to start. No question about it.
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s6blue added 20:21 - Oct 18 agreed kingkeano -- he was the one bright spot on saturday, always looking for the ball and always looking to get things going
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bluechick added 22:21 - Oct 18 Got a feeling this will be the story of his 2 year contract, always struggling with injuries, shame because he could have been a decent option at the back.
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slowerball added 22:25 - Oct 18 Rushed back perhaps - he is 34 / 35? I agree - great shame. Experienced talker & organiser, just what the defence / youngsters need. Shame. Least he might be fresh after Xmas when other injuries and suspensions bite. £75k - still a bargain buy. He did play in the play-off final - again good experience...
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tom_the_blue added 18:02 - Oct 20 shame, he looks a good, experienced player
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