Mick McCarthy expects to have all his players available for Saturday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday as the Blues continue to look for the first away win of the season.

McCarthy says one or two are feeling the effects of Derby’s comeback from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 on Tuesday and a couple have minor niggles.

“Just a few bruised egos and hurt pride from all of us," he said. "But other than a couple of bumps, Chambo and Luke Hyam have got knocks, but they’ll be fine.

“They’re all great. It happens, we’ve got to get on with it. I’d have taken a point going up, I just felt a bit disappointed coming away.”

He admits he’s been weighing up whether to make changes to his side as they face their third game in eight days.

“I’ve had thoughts about it but we’ll wait and see,” he said. “We’ll see how they are tomorrow.

"The team has been excellent and they deserve to play. I often wonder about that and we’ve got two weeks before we play again. If I need to do it, I will.”

One change McCarthy may be looking at is switching his goalkeepers with Dean Gerken having been at fault for a couple of goals in recent games, the former Colchester man having taken over from Scott Loach after his error against Leeds at the end of August.

Meanwhile, former Blues loan keeper Stephen Henderson is reportedly close to joining AFC Bournemouth on loan from West Ham. Henderson, 25, is yet to make a senior appearance this season.

Photo: Action Images

ericclacton added 15:40 - Oct 3 Pity about Henderson we could do with him at the moment.
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muccletonjoe added 15:58 - Oct 3 Loach should not have been dropped imo very harsh
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brittaniaman added 15:59 - Oct 3 It is a shame we could not get him ?? but there must have been some complications along the way ?? although Bournemouth seem to be getting him !! anyway he will need a few games to get the rust out of his joints, He did come good for us in the later stages of his loan period, in fact we thought very good??????
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grf1g08 added 16:05 - Oct 3 Getting Henderson with a recall clause would not be the solution. The opportunity is really there for Gerken or Loach to claim the number one spot here but at the moment neither one seems to be able to cement their place. Hopefully the pressure of both competing for that one spot will bring the best out of one of them.
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Dissblue added 16:54 - Oct 3 Think Joe Hart might soon be available after last night.
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Keaneish added 18:00 - Oct 3 I'm astounded Gerken hasn't taken his chance. Very rarely is your number 1 dropped 5 games into a new season so the fact that Gerken has made a few howlers in as many games is worse in my opinion. Feel Loach should have been dropped given he was at fault on a number of occasions but the simple truth now is that neither keeper are solid enough. Loach has to come back in now doesn't he? MM has set a precedent after all! When was the last time we had a steady, dedicated number 1? Someone who owned that position for a number of consecutive seasons. 2001 Richard Wright!? Look at how many keepers have played since then... Price, Supple, Alexander, Sereni, Marshall, Bywater, Begovic, Fulop, Lee-Barrett, Stockdale, Davis, Murphy, Loach and Gerken... Says it all really. Maybe its time to pick one and keep faith!

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jas0999 added 18:07 - Oct 3 Loach has been very poor. His failure to even think about leaving his line is a real hindrance. Sadly, Gerken isn't doing any better! Think we need a new keeper on loan. Shame about Henderson.
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ipswichtillidie added 18:17 - Oct 3 Neither Loach or Gerken install me with confidence to be honest. I did wonder if we would get found out in this position after Mick settled with these two. Personally think its an area that we could strengthen in and i'm sure it will be looked at. Wasn't a massive fan of Henderson either so would like to see us look elsewhere. I'd play tunniclifff with Skuse in CM with Tabb coming in for Hyam on sat. He may also opt back to Edwards and Loach, would be surprised to see anything else.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:39 - Oct 3 Ipswichtilidie - totally agree with all your post. Henderson did well in the end but really think it's where we need to strengthen. Would probably keepsame side on Sat but as Keanish says I think Gerken has to be dropped.
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Fatboy added 18:46 - Oct 3 Keaneish, Good point and a list that is far too long. Add Alex McCarthy to it.
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StowTractorBoy added 19:23 - Oct 3 Of the keepers we have I am just in the Gerken camp at the moment but neitheir are good enough. Radio Suffolk really has a pro Loach approach and blamed Gerken for the equaliser at Derby but the fact is even though Gerken missed the cross the defence did not do their job. If we are to be successful this season a new number one is imperitive and am surprised Messrs Webster (what does he do) and Mick do nothing about it. Can only put it down to lack of funds or sheer loyalty on Micks part. In my opinion Begovic albeit for a short term is the best keeper we have had of late. Before that Kelvin Davis but he had is off days as well. If Bournemouth can afford Henderson then why can't we ?

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jarrettboy added 19:27 - Oct 3 Simple for me this 1, Loach in for Gerkin, if its not bad enough he come flapping for the forth goal, he ran 4 yards back to his line when the ball was still up in the air when he could have just stood there and caught it!! He is scared and goalkeepers DON'T do scared they are meant to be crazy and brave!! Come on Scott prove to people you can establish yourself as ITFC no.1

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IpswichLewis added 20:08 - Oct 3 I'm sorry to be so negative but neither Loach or Gerken are good enough at the moment...we should have snapped up Henderson before the season started or atleast got him on Loan...he is fearless and rarely makes a mistake...if you are a decent goalie you need to be crazy and not be scared...anyways onwards and upwards from now, hopefully the lads will sort it out before the weekend and give the owls a good stuffing :) come on you blues!!!!

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troyse added 20:23 - Oct 3 no way hyams gonna pull through as its last game 4 fortnight and rightfully so and chambo will play 2
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Marcovic added 20:58 - Oct 3 Henderson will not be an Ipswich town player as he has joined Bournemouth. Good so we don't rely on loans and give our keepers more chances but I would put Loach in goal instead of Dean.
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megamoth added 21:01 - Oct 3 Keanish - good point. Where would be with an Alexander or a Stockdale right now?
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Keaneish added 21:16 - Oct 3 Christ, McCarthy as well, 15 keepers in 12 seasons!! Agree Megamoth. Alexander was one of my favourites from that list. In fact, if you look through that list, you'd have to put a good 5 or 6 of them above Loach and Gerken. Clearly an area that needs strengthening. Here's hoping Webster can do for them what TC is doing for the strikers!!
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Keaneish added 21:56 - Oct 3 Henderson...16 keepers!!!!!
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Lightningboy added 21:56 - Oct 3 Still think ALB was unlucky to be dumped from the set -up...there's no way Gerken is better than him.
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pazelle added 22:32 - Oct 3 Eddie Howe has looked at our stats last season with Hendo in goal - a no brainer. Hendo didn't make a mistake once settled in. Gerken and Loach made a mistake - and now it's time to ERASE that mistake!
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warwickblue added 23:16 - Oct 3 Playing in goal is the most pressured position on the pitch. Every outfield player is almost guaranteed to make a couple of errors (a misplaced pass, a clumsy challenge, poor control) in each game. These are usually of no significance and often raise an ironic cheer if they are particularly clumsy (letting the ball run under your foot for a throw in being a classic example seen last home game). Keepers rarely get to enjoy this luxury. One slip from them and the next thing they're doing is often picking the ball out of the back of the net. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it I say...

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shoopdelang added 08:27 - Oct 4 We have struggled with goalkeepers since Kelvin Davies left
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