Boss Mick McCarthy has decisions to make at both ends of the field ahead of Town’s opening Championship game at home to Fulham a week on Saturday. Strikers Paul Taylor and Jack Marriott will be amongst those to come into the reckoning to partner Daryl Murphy up front, with David McGoldrick unlikely to start, while McCarthy is delighted to have plenty of options at the back.

McGoldrick is back in training following his knee injuries and could feature in one or both of Town’s final friendlies at Southend on Tuesday and Leyton Orient on Saturday, but the 26-year-old almost certainly won't be considered fit enough to make the XI when the Blues take on the Cottagers in August 9th’s live Sky game (KO 5.15pm).

McCarthy says Taylor will be in his thoughts, while 19-year-old Marriott has made an impression during pre-season, having scored twice, as has another alternative Frank Nouble.

“Tayls has done OK, but I didn’t think it was working for us [at Gillingham] with him, although that wasn’t so much [why he came off at half-time, more that] I wanted to look at Jack Marriott," he said.

“Jack deserved a start. The reason I didn’t start him was because I wanted to play [trialist] Balint Bajner and have a look at him. I changed it around and I thought Jack did well. Tayls continues to work hard and we’ll see.”

Taylor was given few opportunities during 2013/14 following his return from a long-term foot injury and McCarthy made him available for transfer at the end of the campaign. Would he still be willing to accept an offer if one was forthcoming?

“That was the end of last season,” McCarthy said. “Until the season starts I’m just keeping my options open and my powder dry in terms of what I would do and what I wouldn’t do.

“We’ve got two weeks to go and who knows what I might get in terms of injuries. I’ll make sure I’ve got the best group of players that I can have when we start and then, if somebody comes in for somebody that I don’t think is for me and the squad, I’ll let him go.”

At the back, Town have kept clean sheets in all four of their pre-season games up to now and having ruled out playing three central defenders and two wing-backs — “Not a chance” — the Blues boss has to decide who to leave out.

Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith were last season’s regular central pairing with skipper Luke Chambers — who has played at centre-half throughout pre-season so far — at right-back, while Tyrone Mings and Jonny Parr have both impressed at full-back since Aaron Cresswell's departure for West Ham.

“And don’t forget Elliott Hewitt!” McCarthy pointed out. “Wow, there’s loads of them! It’s great, isn’t it? It’s lovely having options.

“When you’ve only got four of them, you’re scared of injuries. I think I’ve got good players for each position and good cover, depending on who doesn’t play. There’s only one thing worse than having options and that’s not having any.”

Photo: Action Images

ShropshireBluenago09 added 19:03 - Jul 28 From what ive seen, it looks like we have some pace in the side at last, with Henshall and Stewart. That should make a lot of difference, compared to last season. Top 6 finish deco IMO.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:29 - Jul 28 Lets step back and look it realistically. Creswell gone, parr in. Good replacement job done. SEB gone, marriot back and looking like last seasons loan stint has done him the power of good, none the less the squad has the same number if strikers available for the match day squad, less injurues which you xant account for. MCG back in training. No not match sharp but on his way back. I dont see the need to assume he'll never be the same again. Let the boy play 1st. Richardson gone, Hewitt and Veseli back both looking improved, Chambers 1st choice at RB. Richardson average at best whilst with us. Green gone, again only average when here and clearly a position MM is looking to adress. Maybe Bru is already the answer, the emergence of Veseli as an additional midfield option offers further cover. Expect a lon addtion here Murph clearly showed last season he can step up and has improved drastically under MM. Why can't that continue this season? Even Nouble is scoring in pre season. Again MM is clearly looking to adress the situation hence the numerous trialists in that position. If a suitable one does not come along anticipate loan addition. loan additions unlikely to arrive until 25 man squads finalised or prem buisness nears completion, as with most other clubs. Green and Richardson arrived in the 2nd half of last, as all clubs did last year Town strengthend in Jan. They will again, as will other clubs. so in fact squad size is similar to this time last year with more still to come. In terms of ahead of or behind the curve, probably about on the money. More players will come, this is the way of modern football. For the record I think a much tougher league this year and my gut says we just miss out 7th to 10th. But I think the squad looks better, has imprived and we look v tough to beat. Henshall, Marriot and the return of MCG offer a splash of potential magic and Stewart (maybe even Taylor, although I admit doubtful) looks like he can produce at this level. He will have off days but hes the sort who will do nothing for 88 mins and win it in the 89th. All in all I am optomistic if not expectant. Consider us dark horses. COYB!

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LWNR2013 added 19:56 - Jul 28 For me, Taylor on the ball is exciting but nothing comes of it. Unfortunately, flair is flare - dazzling burst, then a fizzle.
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bring_back_Wickham added 19:57 - Jul 28 Blueboy- you tell me to look up words - try looking up the word JOKE
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Seasider added 20:31 - Jul 28 Only two more players needed I feel,one a Jonny Williams type player,the other a striker.Mick may find one from the two trialists;but still feel he should and may spend a transfer fee on the other,as this would be preferable to a loan. Still dont feel that manager can be expected to put together a promotion winning team without spending a penny,and its unfair of Marcus Evans to expect him to do this.

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blueboy1981 added 21:53 - Jul 28 bring back Wickham ............ that's one word you shouldn't need to look up - all clever stuff from ya !!!
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NoelTheDub added 21:54 - Jul 28 We need a jonny Williams and cover for McGoldrick.Jonny show this club what we were missing and when Eddie got injured our season was over because we had noboby that could step up to his mark.Both of these issues have not been addressed so far and its vital that it is or its mid table at best...FACT.
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harlingblue added 00:46 - Jul 29 Sign the Hungarian trialist, he looks good and makes good runs off the ball, Mings and Hewitt are great young attacking fullbacks, Chambers and Parr fine defending fullbacks. The keeping situation seems sorted with the addition of 'Bart'. The addition of two exciting young wingers, plus a revitalised Anderson should add ammo to the front line . Hyam/Skuse to either play to protect the defence or do the short ball to more attacking players. Up front Murphey/trialist a cert with Frank or Marriott. Then add McGoldrick, he could be a midfield playmaker/scorer or attacker with Murphey. A far better squad that we have had for many a year?

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afrodids added 10:35 - Jul 29 The season hasn't even started yet and everyone is at each others throats! Calm down ffs.
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bohslegend added 13:45 - Jul 29 Noel welcome back
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bohslegend added 13:46 - Jul 29 ...and er.... 'Eddie'?
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NoelTheDub added 15:05 - Jul 29 bohslegend You still taking the happy pills and er its better than ur Didsy.As you are always happy with what goes on at our club the only good news this week is our main striker is back not to soon I hope.I dont think we are stronger than last season if anything a bit lighter but the way MM sets his team out we will be hard to beat and grind out a few results.We need striker cover and creativity in the middle.

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bohslegend added 17:02 - Jul 29 No happy pills required when you support the best club in the world :-) Was hoping we could meet up for a pint at the Shelbourne game, did you go? Met some of the other lads over from Ipswich there. Good bunch of lads.
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NoelTheDub added 02:11 - Jul 30 bohslegend I was on holidays when that game was on same as last year.I look forward to us having a bit of banter but supporting our team even if we dont always agree talk soon bud...
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