Town will again be without striker David McGoldrick when Bolton Wanderers visit Portman Road on Tuesday evening, the Ireland international having suffered what’s hoped to be a minor setback as he makes his return from a thigh injury. Keeper Dean Gerken was back at Playford Road today having been knocked unconscious at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

McCarthy had hoped that McGoldrick would be in the squad for the Trotters’ visit but that won't be the case: “He felt it on Friday. It’s just a little setback, we’re hoping it’s nothing but enough so he didn’t train today, so he’s not available.”

The Town boss admits that the 27-year-old has been missed, just as he was during his absence towards the end of 2013/14.

“It was the end of last season that he was out and we missed him then and maybe that cost us and he’s been out now,” he added.

”He has been a fabulous player for us. From walking through the door, he’s just been one of the top men.

“I don’t want to disrespect anybody else, but I think all the players know he’s one of the top men and he does help make us a better team.”

McCarthy says Gerken was back at the club today having been stretchered off in the early stages at Boro and taken to hospital where he underwent scans.

“He’s fine, he’s been in today,” he added. “He was in all night for observation having been knocked out and, of course, there was nobody at home to look after him because his wife was in the hospital having given birth on the Friday.

“She paid £40 to watch it on Sky and saw her husband carried off on a stretcher, which isn’t the ideal way to spend the first day with your newborn. They’re OK, he’s all right.”

He says the former Colchester man won’t be risked against Bolton: “I’m not quite sure what the rule is but we won’t take any risks with him. There’s no chance we’ll take a risk.”

Bartosz Bialkowski, who came off the bench at the Riverside, is set to start with Paddy Kenny, who was with Bolton for a short spell earlier in the season, likely to be on the bench.

Meanwhile, Darren Ambrose (hamstring), Luke Hyam and Noel Hunt (both knee) are still sidelined.

Photo: Action Images

Gcon added 15:50 - Mar 16 Real shame about MGoldrick. We really need his ability right now. I'm hoping his return will help bring back some confidence to the team. I can't help thinking that Mings really looks up to him, as a mentor. Mings form has dropped ever since McGolrick got injured.
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truckertractorboy added 15:52 - Mar 16 Oh well lump the ball forward tactic carries on then
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BLUEBEAT added 15:52 - Mar 16 what a surprise
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ihatenorwich added 15:54 - Mar 16 How many more 'setbacks'
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theipswichman added 15:55 - Mar 16 Well this makes me very angry
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floridaboy added 15:56 - Mar 16 If McGoldrick is not fit why hasn't the club withdrawn him from the Ireland squad or will he suddenly recover!
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Geoff added 15:59 - Mar 16 Come on Mick tell us the truth,we will not be seeing him again in a blue shirt or not.
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Carberry added 16:00 - Mar 16 It's a great pity because McGoldrick has the quality that is in short supply in our squad. Bearing that in mind we need Bishop to play straight through to the end of the season to provide something creative for our strike force (whoever they may be). His time has come.
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Jimmy86 added 16:20 - Mar 16 Shame about Gerken's injury, but for me he shouldn't have been brought back in against Brentford. Seemingly Mick was less lenient with Bart after a few mistakes recently, than he ever has been with Gerken. Both last season and this, Mick stuck with Gerken after a few costly mistakes and persevered with him, he dropped Bart after a slightly poor run of form, that has become indicative of the whole team. For me Bart is the better keeper out of the 2 of them, as he is better commanding his box. Whilst Didz still has un-doubted class on the ball and is still 1 of our main men, it's fair to say he hasn't hit the heights of last season and has often cut a frustrated figure during gamed this season. He has been very unlucky at times, but also quite selfish, taking on shots that just aren't on and his shooting has been uncharacteristically poor by his standards. Possibly never got back fully from his knee injury last season too. Still a decent player though for sure. Hoping for 3 points tommorow night COYB

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StowTractorBoy added 16:21 - Mar 16 Why do we get the feeling there is more to this injury than is reported. Somehow I don't believe the Club have been up front on this issue and frankly I would rather know the truth. I apologise if I am wrong but this scenario has gone on longer than we could have anticipated and is so frustrating when he is the one class player we have.
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manualthetisfanclub added 16:23 - Mar 16 How crap is it when it seems now whole season stems on one player,who quite frankly hasn't been that great this season,all be it hampered by injuries. This all going back to lack of ambition in January transfer window and our manager,who has performed miracles given the budget not varied his tactics other than the predictable hoof ball that's been the main calling card since Christmas.look not being negative,just after being in the playoffs all season expectations so high now,don't want the season to peater out to failure imo.

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ChrisL_ITFC added 16:27 - Mar 16 Without McGoldrick to include my choice would be BialkowskiParrChambersBerraMingsSkuseTabbBishopBruMurphySears Substitutes: Kenny   Smith   S Hunt   Chaplow   Anderson   Varney   Wood
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Green_Army added 16:34 - Mar 16 ChrisL_ITFC: I'd love to see Mings left mid, because it's clear he is more capable at attacking than defending. Then have Parr behind him, Chambo (RB) and the usually CB partnership. I agree that Chambers is a better a CB, which most people are calling for, but I think having Mings on the wing would bring a bigger impact, than dropping Smith.
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ArnieM added 16:35 - Mar 16 Sicknote. Just 9 more games Didzy then no doubt you'll be on your way.
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John added 16:46 - Mar 16 To be fair I was at the u21 game today and Didz was there. He was walking with a very obvious limp.
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big_gaz67 added 16:46 - Mar 16 So today we've had the defence might be tired followed by we might have missed Didzy. No MmC - we've had wrong selection followed by wrong selection - no real plan A yet alone a plan B - if you are looking for excuses then I suggest employing a mirror.
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big_gaz67 added 16:46 - Mar 16 So today we've had the defence might be tired followed by we might have missed Didzy. No MmC - we've had wrong selection followed by wrong selection - no real plan A yet alone a plan B - if you are looking for excuses then I suggest employing a mirror.
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essexbluey added 16:49 - Mar 16 I have a bad feeling he wants to leave. And i have another bad feeling mings and murphy will be gone at the end of this season. But thats ok we can get a few million and get a few 30 yr old plus loan players in. Iam very upset haveing gone to middlesbrough that result got under my skin. I just hope we can beat bolton and hope brentford slip up. We will never win the playoffs but it would be nice to at least be in them. Bring back sheepshanks at least he had passion for the club.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:50 - Mar 16 S***! This is a setback, however you look at it. Wonder when Ambrose will be back, by the way?
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bohslegend added 17:00 - Mar 16 Jeez John, don't you know how it works around here???!! NEVER let the truth get in the way of a good reason to either moan about the club or dream up a conspiracy theory. Never!
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bluesince84 added 17:05 - Mar 16 well we can look at it two ways, yes its a setback but.....if he was fit the same problrm would still be here, because sears would be dropped, who has looked lively and plays of the last man. Theres no way in hell that mick would have started with 3 strikers forcing his hand with a 3 man midfield. with mcgoldrick - 442. Without mcgoldrick - 442. same s*%t different players. but heres what we can bank on. Smith in the middle, berra and chambers out of position. Parr in midfield (although he has played well recently, which will mean he will be on the bench) and Tabb in the middle no matter what happens.

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Seasider added 17:05 - Mar 16 Looks like should have sold McG when offered all that money as with injury record getting worse for him,probably only worth peanuts now. Still hindsight is a wonderful thing and ME was determined not to sell,not realising that he would be continuously out with injury,and so of no use to Ipswich Town;not that's its anybodys fault unfortunately just one of those things
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head1970 added 17:08 - Mar 16 MM seen in Sunderland today.
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jas0999 added 17:16 - Mar 16 We urgently need to source some creative spark to support the strikers. Yet, looks like ME isn't prepared to invest. Shame. We desperately need some goals and creativity from the midfield. However, something doesn't seem right with McGoldrick. I wonder if he will play for us again?
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bellazzurri79 added 17:22 - Mar 16 This is bull!!!! This is not an injury.... There is more to this and a reporter needs to ask some very probing questions as it is not an injury!!!!!!!!!!
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