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

blueherts added 17:31 - Mar 16 Why do people suspect something is up ? I think his injury last year was a really bad one - You dont fly to see a specialist in the US for a 'normal injury' . he has not really been at it this season ( Thank goodness for DM!) When fit he is our best footballer , so intellligent in and around the box and we so miss him This is a big big blow but just hope we have Bru and Bish and a wide man in the side/bench tomorrow we need to win and win well !! Watford is never a good hunting ground but a great day out !!

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TimmyH added 17:34 - Mar 16 'A minor setback' - that means he'll be out for another 2 weeks, nobody would have envisaged the length of time he would be out with just a thigh injury! God we lack creativity when it comes to attack, at least he can hold the ball up and control it even if he hasn't hit the heights of last season.
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karls_dad added 17:44 - Mar 16 I,m truly sorry to say this, but i have just about had enough of the MM era, yes he saved us from relegation, yes he has given us false hopes this season, but his tactic,s are dubious, substitutions the same, leaving everyone scratching their heads, I doubt very much we shall see Mc Goldrick ever play for town again, i feel his injuries have been career ending , MM feeds us the same old bull after every game, its bonkers or i,m delighted even if we have played like a gang of one arm paper hangers, why is he not banging on ME,s door and saying thats it, give me the money to get us to the promised land, we were never going to do it on a team of out of contract players that nobody else wants! 110k squad, did marvels with it for half a season until they ran out of steam and ideas, I live in Norfolk, everyone in my village knows i,m town! it was an embarrassment to go into the local shop after the derby, i was ashamed of the performance, hoof it and hope! Sadly i think its time to look elsewhere for a manager with vision, desire, and passion, i can see a clearout of players yet again come the end of the season, lets start again with nothing but false promise,s... And now i,m even sorry i wrote this crap! depressing innit!

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village_blue added 17:47 - Mar 16 Head 1970 Which MM was seen in Sunderland today Mick Mills as Mick McCarthy was at Playford Road watching U21'S.
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blueboy1981 added 17:48 - Mar 16 Surprise, surprise ........... bit more going on behind the scenes with McGoldrick, I think ........ !!!! Hope I'm wrong - BUT I have a feeling we've seen him for the last time in an ITFC Shirt - this season anyway, and possibly .................. ???? One for the 'Didzy' fans to think about.
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blueherts added 17:51 - Mar 16 Suddenly that £8m bid from Leicester earlier this season looks 'one that got away'
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head1970 added 17:53 - Mar 16 @village Blue Lighten up mate it was only a joke wish I could go to the under 21s game but some of us have to work.
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Cakeman added 17:53 - Mar 16 Nothing to worry about John, all professional footballers playing in the Championship or higher walk with a limp. It's because one pocket of their jeans is weighed down by a heavy wallet.
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Icantbelieveyousaidt added 17:57 - Mar 16 Mr Bluesince84..... I am writing this in defence of the much maligned Tommy Smith; it is he who is playing out of position to accommodate Berra in his rightful position and not the other way around. Indeed (and I was at the game Sat) it is Mr Mings who is in more need of being rested. Many a young player has been ruined by being overplayed early in their careers. This man is very talented but needs a break.... Oh and dear readers stop all those conspiracy theories regarding Mr McGoldrick; he is injured, get over it...... Finally, if you all hold on tight, keep the faith and stop moaning we will make those play offs.......

3

blueboy1981 added 18:00 - Mar 16 ............ people keep suggesting 'reporter's should be asking questions' etc; etc; - POINTLESS - because at best you'll get nothing other than fictitious info - as seen fit by MM. The days of being treated as important people by the Club are gone - other than at Season Ticket Sales / Renewal time. The only thing that relates to ITFC of old - is the name: ITFC. Nothing else bares any resemblance at all. But - once a BLUE - always a Blue - whatever.

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John added 18:02 - Mar 16 Bohs, sorry mate forgot to mention he was in the car park talking to the ghost of Brian clough!! Cakeman, sort of jeans he was wearing he'd have struggled to fit his platinum credit card in his pocket.
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ElGuaje4 added 18:06 - Mar 16 BartParrChambersBerraMingsSkuseStewartAndersonBishopSearsMurphy Would love to see this team with proper wingers. I reckon it'd take us to the play-offs comfortably.
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smithy0981 added 18:26 - Mar 16 Apologies if I am missing something but why can this not simply be an injury setback, why do some people think there is some conspiracy????
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jonbull88 added 18:49 - Mar 16 All these moaners saying Mcgoldricks played his last game for town are going to look like right morons when he plays in a game or twos time!
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blueboy1981 added 18:52 - Mar 16 jonbull88 .............. maybe, maybe ............ hope you are confident of that - otherwise roles could just be reversed - YES ??
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PJH added 18:52 - Mar 16 Because smithy0981 it suits those that only want to find fault with MM if it is more sinister than an injury. The thing that I think was wrong was playing anything like a first team in the game at Southampton and again in the replay because that was increasing the chance of injury to key players in meaningless games. Should have gone to Southampton with fringe players and taken a 2-0 loss and increased chance of having key players fit for important games.

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blueboy1981 added 18:54 - Mar 16 ............. Fatcatevans ......... hitting the minus button with gusto - a bit like McCarthy, nothing changes there then.
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carsey added 19:21 - Mar 16 Not sure ME is to blame for any of this. MM has had cash made available for loan players wages and short term contracts 6 I can think of off the top of my head. Problem has been the choice of players. A couple of quality in midfield would have been good rather than an over weight Wood or Varney or Chaplow. Also like many others on here using the right tactics and players in their best position may have helped. As for McGoldrick I think we have seen the last of him this season.

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Akaroablue added 19:32 - Mar 16 head1970, I hope he was looking at buying a house there!!
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essex57 added 19:39 - Mar 16 We realy need to source some new posters on hear im fed up with the same downbeat mainly ante ME and MM comments.
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PJH added 19:39 - Mar 16 Thank you for the down mark blueboy,it is areal honour to be down marked by you. Goodnight.
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brittaniaman added 19:46 - Mar 16 Do not expect Brenden Woolley to ask MM. the intimate questions on team selection and Tactics ??? because he would finish up talking about the weather and his summer holidays !!!!!
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Cloddyseedbed added 20:03 - Mar 16 Stowtractorboy the club are not up front about much at all really are they. Don't worry their hard sell will soon start about what a fantastic offer the season tickets are for next year. They will say what a great season it has been under MM and next season with a few additions we will be able to push on in the promotion race. Can't remember how many years the same old things have been said, but season after season I end up feeling somewhat let down and short changed. Is the team stronger this year than last year, in my opinion, no. Murphy has been outstanding, well done to him though, the rest, very mediocre. A ordinary £110,000 squad.

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billlm added 20:16 - Mar 16 Geoff u think like a lot of people do, wont see much more of him, one way or another
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GFH added 20:35 - Mar 16 I am really pleased that mm and tc came into portman road when they did they have managed to steady the ship and send us in the right direction installing belief in players and fans alike. The first half of the season was spectacular and i thought we were on our way back to where we belong but ever since the Southampton replay we have struggled... fatigue ? The playoffs are well within our reach but its doubtful we will make them in my opinion. If we miss out on the playoffs and struggle at the start of the next season i think we would be better to bring in a young manager with plenty of ambition.

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