Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s felt for keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, whose opportunities have been limited since he joined the Blues from Notts County in the summer.

The 27-year-old Pole, who signed on a free transfer but with the Magpies receiving cash if the Blues are promoted and a percentage of a future sale, is set to make his home debut for Town tonight with first-choice Dean Gerken absent with the groin strain he suffered in the warm-up at Blackpool on Saturday.

Having made his Blues debut in the Capital One Cup defeat at Crawley in August, Bialkowski - who previously had a spell on loan with Town late in the 2008/09 campaign without making a senior appearance - was an unused sub until his late call into the side for his league debut at Bloomfield Road.

“Bart’s great, I’ve felt for him,” McCarthy admitted. “You see him in training, he breaks their hearts with some of the saves he makes.

“But Gerks was my first choice, he understood that. He came on that understanding and Gerks has done nothing wrong, he’s had a good season. But he’s hurt his groin so opportunity knocks and he did well [at Blackpool].”

In addition to Gerken, Jonny Williams (calf), Cole Skuse, Teddy Bishop and Jonny Parr (all also groin) are unavailable for tonight’s game.

McCarthy is pleased to have added the likes of Darren Ambrose and Jack Collison - who is unlikely to be involved having played and suffered a knock with the U21s yesterday - to his squad.

“It was important that we took those just to give us a bit more strength in depth and it looks like we’re going to need them,” he said.

“We’ve got depth in central midfield and depth in wide midfield with Alex Henshall, Tabby, Hunty, Ando, Cameron Stewart and Elliott Hewitt can play there.

“We’ve got depth up front with Murph, Didz, Balint Bajner and Conor Sammon. That’s all right, it’s the back four really. We’ve had Matt Clarke as a sub and now we’ve got Elliott Hewitt back, so we’ve got six defenders.

“Thank goodness they’re keeping themselves fit. Suspensions, of course, are another matter altogether.”

Photo: Action Images

WhoisJimmyJuan added 07:16 - Nov 4 Hmmm. Massive blow with losing both Williams and Bishop - are two most exciting players behind the strikers. BUT - a real opportunity for the likes of Stewart, Henshall, Ambrose. Suspect its going to be a bit of a grind tonight. Hope I'm wrong!
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big_gaz67 added 08:20 - Nov 4 "Gerks has done nothing wrong" - mmmmmm the goal against Norwich, both goals at Notts Forest, the free kick against Blackburn (his side and a very reasonable height to palm round the post) - continual flapping at crosses alongside the fact he insists on wearing green and yellow!
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yorksblue added 08:25 - Nov 4 And looks like a pri*k with htat facial hair.......like most of the other beard wearers
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SouperJim added 09:47 - Nov 4 yorksblue what a daft thing to say, I don't give a monkeys if he's got three ears, so long as he keeps the ball out of the net.
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Steve70 added 09:59 - Nov 4 Yes I think Gerks could do with some time out of the first team. He will come back stonger. Bart to make most of this.
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muccletonjoe added 10:16 - Nov 4 Interesting to see what does happen with Stewart tonight
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bohslegend added 11:09 - Nov 4 At best Stewart will get 10 mins tonight. No rationale for expecting any more than that yet. Sounds like MM wants him to work a bit harder to get in the team. Nothing wrong with that IMO.
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Jimmy86 added 12:19 - Nov 4 Mick, Gerks may be your number 1 but you cant stand there and say he's done nothing wrong. As big gaz has alluded to the goals against norwich and forest were def his fault, especially the forest equaliser. As a keeper if you come for a cross or set play you have to either claim the ball or get a decent enough punch. Hope bart takes his chance, coz think he could bexome the better keeper, given a run of games. A decent keeper makes such a difference and helps you get promoted. Im afraid gerken is not that keeper, due to his command of his area and kicking. His command of his box isn't much better than loach's!!

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StowTractorBoy added 13:08 - Nov 4 I agree with some of the comments above re Gerken being at fault for several goals but he has made saves that have been out of the ordinary and helped save us. I do think we can do better in the goalkeeping department but whether Bart is the answer I will reserve judgement. He conceded an awful goal against Swansea Under 21s and the first cross he had to deal with on Saturday he made a complete hash of, and had it been on target would have ended in our net. Having said all of this I really hope he is a huge success for us starting tonight.

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battyblue added 14:07 - Nov 4 More potential than kamakarzi Gerken shown it in training but only gets a chance through injury that's true to form anyway good luck Barts hope you have a blinder.
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PJH added 14:11 - Nov 4 Agree StowTractorBoy. Although Gerks has made costly mistakes,no doubt every other keeper in the country has as well.I do not think that he deserves all of the grief that he has been getting as he has also made loads of important saves.Also agree about Bart as he could well have diverted that first cross on saturday into his own net but hopefully he will get a good first touch tonight and gain in confidence.

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