Town will be without Jonny Williams, Jonny Parr, Dean Gerken, Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop for Tuesday’s home game against boss Mick McCarthy’s former club Wolves. Right-back Elliott Hewitt has returned to Portman Road at the end of his month at Colchester, while midfielder Kevin Bru is fit having missed the last two matches with a groin problem.

Williams has a calf problem, while the other four miss out due to groin injuries.

“Elliott’s back and Jonny Parr’s still injured,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got no full-back cover, and even more so because Skusey could have covered at right-back and he’s injured.

“So we’ve got Jonny Parr, Skusey, Jonny Williams, Gerks and Teddy Bishop. He’s improving, it was fatigue as much as anything, but he’s got a tight groin and there’s no way I’m going to risk him. We’ve got five of them out.”

He added: “We’ll see now whether we can do exactly the same and play with the same level and intensity with the ones that come in. I don’t see why not.”

Hewitt, who but for Parr’s injury would have stayed at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, is match ready having played regularly during his month with the League One side.

“He’s had five or six games and Colchester haven’t got a game this week, they play in the FA Cup on Saturday,” the Town boss continued.

“I was umming and aching as to whether to do it because I actually like him being there with a 24-hour recall.

“But if there was a bit of sickness I’ve got five defenders, so I can’t really afford to leave him out there any longer.”

Better news is that Kevin Bru is over his groin problem and available, while Jack Collison and Cameron Stewart are in the U21 side playing QPR this afternoon.

“They’re playing today in the U21s," McCarthy confirmed. "They might have half a game, I’ll see how they do. They’re not in my thoughts for tomorrow, obviously, because they’re both playing today.

“I’ll have a look at them. I might give them half a game and consider them as subs. But at the moment, no.”

Collison was subbed at half-time, although probably more due to a knock he suffered early on in the match which appeared to hamper him for the remainder of his time on the field.

McCarthy says the former West Ham man was getting closer to match fitness, while Stewart was still a little way off: “Jack’s stats were good in the last game and Cameron’s just not got back to the level of fitness and power and strength that’s required to play in the team.

“But he’s getting there. He’s doing extra training, he’s putting a shift in. I need them all fully fit and another game will do him no harm at all.”

In Gerken's absence Bartosz Bialkowski will make his home debut in goal with 18-year-old Michael Crowe set to be on the bench.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 14:10 - Nov 3 Oh dear, last season we got pretty lucky with injuries but this season we are picking up more. Our fairly thin squad particularly in defense could be our undoing, always good to have a fairly consistent starting 11.
2

irishtim added 14:10 - Nov 3 Bit of a disaster. Hopefully the guys waiting on the wings can step up and show what they can do.
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theblueginger added 14:11 - Nov 3 All thses groin injuries....mmhmmmm. Something's going on for that many injuries in that 'department', makes me worry about that team selfie. Team bonding and all that..... Good to see Bru back as he is a useful sort of 'home game' player, and has got better every time he has played. Parr and Skuse could be missed. If Sako starts we could could be in trouble on the right.

3

We_hate_Norwich added 14:14 - Nov 3 Will good to see how Bialkowski does, will hopefully keep Gerken on his toes with a good performance.
2

MaySixth added 14:19 - Nov 3 Sakho v Chambers will decide the match.
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StowTractorBoy added 14:31 - Nov 3 This is not good news as really needed Parr and Williams to combat the pace of Wolves. Disappointing for Bishop as well as for the fans. Bialkowski Chambers Smith Berra Mings Anderson Bru Hyam Hunt McGoldrick Murphy Just a thought
3

pazelle added 14:35 - Nov 3 Bialkowski Hewitt, Chambers, Berra, Mings Anderson, Hyam, Bru, Tabb/Hunt McGoldrick, Murphy
7

bluemikey100 added 14:36 - Nov 3 joniesta and bishop is a pain although 1 out of the 2 wud of been ok last time skuse was out think we missed him protecting the back 4
1

fourpee added 14:55 - Nov 3 Surely its time to see Stewart & Collison in the first team! Worrying times... 5 first team players injured. The only positive is we are playing @ home !!
1

jocasaja added 15:10 - Nov 3 Bialkowski Hewitt, Chambers, Berra, mings Anderson, Bru, Hyam, Hunt Murphy, mcGoldri
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bluemagic74 added 15:26 - Nov 3 Really hope the lads coming in for injury lads can show what they can do as feel with all these injuries coming to so many at once is Not good, but if anyone can get the team we got to have play at there best and get some kind of result it MM and TC, was looking forward to this match but have to be honest although im hopeful i think we could lucky to get a draw. Times like this is why we need more cover with a bigger squad. COYB DO your stuff and bring us 3 points as next 3 games after wolves dnt get any easyer

0

Bluetone added 16:09 - Nov 3 Hope those coming in have the sort of game that gives MM selection worries when those injured are back and fit. Come on lads now's your chance to shine.
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Seasider added 16:10 - Nov 3 Mick please dont put Chambers at rb against Sako try Elliott or even 3 at the back. Expect the usual back up players with his favorite Tabby,Anderson,Sammon and Hunty who had a good game on Saturday;but will the little old legs allow him to tear about as he did on Saturday.Think he had added incentive against Blackpool. Pleased to see that Bialkowski has now been given a chance albeit by injury,and would like to see Mick be a bit more adventurous as we are at home,perhaps giving Henshall some time on the pitch,as treating him a bit like he did Paul Taylor at the moment,and with both Bishop and Williams out want a bit of speed in the side and someone who will run at opposition defence.

3

Popeye added 17:07 - Nov 3 What's with all these groin injuries all of sudden? Aren't the fitness staff doing their job properly so that the players are fully warmed up before kick off!
1

warktheline added 17:35 - Nov 3 What's happened to Henshall? Anybody know?
2

jas0999 added 17:37 - Nov 3 The lack of squad depth was always going to be a problem. Looks like an unbalanced defence again tomorrow and I still find it remarkable that we are trying to achieve promotion with virtually no back up defensive options. We do have options in midfield, so no real disaster that Skuse is missing for a home game, but just hope we have some creativity in the middle, which could be limited with both Williams and bishop out. Also hope M&M are on form up front, because we can't rely on Sammon or Bajner for goals! Lack of goal scoring options is a real worry if regular two don't deliver.

2

TractorCam added 17:39 - Nov 3 Thank goodness Bru is fit, would of been a disaster in midfield
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jpring89 added 17:54 - Nov 3 should still get atleast a point wont be too disappointed with that considering whos out.
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barrysandals added 18:37 - Nov 3 The midfield is a real worry tomorrow. No doubt we will go back to 4-3-3? Midfield of hyam, bru and tabb or ando! My real concern is collinson. He's been at the club for a couple of months and not even come close to squad let alone starting 11.
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ericclacton added 18:38 - Nov 3 Dicko is out for them i think. that's a plus, very pacey striker.
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tractordownsouth added 18:55 - Nov 3 Henshall surely has to play!!! We need creativity with Bishop, Stewart and Williams all out.
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RegencyBlue added 20:06 - Nov 3 This will make tomorrow night interesting to say the least! A real test for the strength, or otherwise, of the squad. We will know a lot more regarding our chances of challenging for a top six place just after 09:30 pm tomorrow I would say.
4

brian_a_mul added 20:20 - Nov 3 Bru and Hyam are still a very combative and solid midfield. We may lack a creative edge but if the team give 100% we can get a good result. Tabb and Mings have an excellent relationship. This game will be a grind, at home with our strikers, i hope for a 1-0!
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Cloddyseedbed added 20:46 - Nov 3 If you go and watch Collinson, Stewart and Henshall in the games they do take part in you'll see why they are not in, or near the 1st team. The club is no longer a holiday camp, if your fit then you need to work hard.
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Chicago_Blue added 21:01 - Nov 3 What's happened to Henshall?
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