Teddy Bishop is out of Saturday’s game away against Championship leaders Watford and Jonny Parr is a doubt, while David McGoldrick, Luke Hyam, Dean Gerken and Darren Ambrose again all miss out.

McCarthy confirmed that none of those who have missed the last few games will be ready to make their return at Vicarage Road.

“No is the answer to that, not at all,” he said. “In fact we’ve got possibly two more missing. Jonny Parr got a kick and he hasn’t trained today, so he’s a doubt.

“And Teddy Bishop won’t play as he’s got sore shins, sort of the onset of shin splints, which is the last thing we want. The pitches have gone from really heavy to being quite firm.

“He came off [on Tuesday], he got a kick on them as well and he won’t be involved on Saturday.

“He will be a top player Bish, I don’t doubt that, but we’ve got to be careful with him. The last thing I need is for him to be suffering with shin splints and missing the rest of the season because if that does become worse that’s what could happen. But we’re not going to let it happen.”

McCarthy says no decision has yet been made on whether Bishop will be left out of the England U19s squad, the 18-year-old having received a first international call earlier in the week.

“I don’t know,” he added. "I’m going to speak to [England U19s coach] Sean O’Driscoll first.

"To be called up for England at any level should be an honour, certainly. It’s sad if he can’t go but I’ve got to give them the medical report first.”

McCarthy hopes Hyam, who has been suffering with a knee injury, McGoldrick, who has had a thigh problem, and Ambrose could return after the international break.

“I hope so,” McCarthy continued. “Luke was out training today. They had to go and introduce me to him because I haven’t seen him for so long.

“He had a smile on his face, he was out on the grass, out in the fresh air and out of the gym. I think he’s far more optimistic.

“Didz, I just don’t know. He’s not been troubled by it too much but he is being troubled by it enough so he can’t train.”

He says McGoldrick won’t go away with the Republic of Ireland next week, having initially been named in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad.

“He’s not fit, I haven’t got him down on my desk as being in the preliminary squad because they know he’s injured,” the Town boss said.

“Darren Ambrose must be ruing the fact that he trained that day and he pulled up with his hamstring. That’s been really long-term injury.”

Keeper Gerken will again be left out having been knocked unconscious during last week’s game at Middlesbrough.

“He’s not involved because we’ve got one game and then we’ve got two weeks before the next one so what’s the point of taking any risk?” McCarthy added. “No a chance. He’s fine, but I’m not going to risk him.”

The Blues manager says there are currently no loan additions on the horizon with the deadline a week today: “Not at the moment, nothing’s happening.”

Photo: Action Images

WindsorBlue added 21:24 - Mar 19 wayway - I'd hate to think what you were thinking when we were under McGiven, Magic, Jewel and Keane, no doubt called for Big Fat Joes head too. I think Blackpool is to do with the Owners and unfortunately they do have money, but it's been sucked out of the club. Nothing to do with their management structure. ME pumps £7m a year in to keep the books balanced, and supporters moan about paying £30 to go to a game. If people cancelled their Sky subscription and attributed the saving to a season ticket, it would cover two days out a month. The club would have more resources, and we could buy more creative players. But its always easier just to blame someone else, or expect them to cough up...

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warktheline added 21:24 - Mar 19 @PJH, I've been public enemy no1 on here for quite sometime, having backed McCarthy to the hilt. What people on the forum need to realise is the difference between then and now! No, I don't need telling Mick turned this club around from cannon folder to promotion chasers in the space of two years. How? he thankfully got rid of the dead wood and through top management recruited good pro's for nowt, for that I will always appreciate his services to our club. There's no doubt about it, McCarthy knows his way around a football club. BUT.....even I have had to admit since January he APPEARS to of lost his way with tactics and team selection. Statistics back this up. CAN he reverse this trend, quite possibly, he has more than enough experience at this level to turn it around. Time will tell. At this present time...many are extremely frustrated with our current trend, and a manager, who for sometime has refused to acknowledge these issue. If you look back at Mick's reign, when things haven't gone well on pitch, he was quick to make changes....remember him saying ' you don't lose two on the bounce etc' Compare that to now, 'what can I change, I only have four defenders, and Clarke!' My point is....his flexibility appears to have disappeared. Has also, his ideas?

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bluesince84 added 21:33 - Mar 19 I hope not walk the line, im the same, im public enemy number two for the reason i haven't backed Mick recently. Yes he saved us and i am thankful, but that was 2 and a half years ago. He cannot be saved from criticism because of this. Its the same argument with arsenal. Everytime people call for Arsenes head they bleat on about what he has won, but that was 10 years ago. We cannot live on past glories (even if our 'glory' was to not be relegated) Mcarthy steadied the ship and praise to him, now the ship is steadied we need a captain to bring it home. And how Connely can go from 'they aint showing me enough in training' 'their not ready for first team football' two weeks ago to 'hes nearly there' now, well, what a two weeks he must have had. Threadbare defense playing players out of position and he gets 3 strikers in, boggles the mind!!!

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WindsorBlue added 21:42 - Mar 19 Walktheline, I think we are very quick to jump on something when the going gets tough. What people fail to appreciate is that Mick knows the players inside out. He gets a far greater insight, and after all he has done it for real, whereas we occasionally flick on Champ Manager! This is evidenced with the outcry for Paul Taylor to play not so long ago. Mick took pelters on this forum, and it turns out PT was actually an utter ****! My point is Mick probably has his reasons for doing what he does. I also love the fact he completely protects his players in press conferences (like Fergie, Mourinho etc). Is he saying what he thinks, probably not...but at other times his honesty is great to hear. I think at times we can just be a little fickle in modern football, without stepping back, and taking an objective view. Injury, thin squad and tiredness is to blame moreso than Micks management IMO. This will be rectified in future I am sure. I honestly think he can take us up, and if we get close this year, ME might find a way to stick a few quid in. We would get spanked loads anyway if we did, so I'm happy with another fun season like this one next year!

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warktheline added 21:55 - Mar 19 Always good when many of us debate current issues.... Calling someone an idiot isn't on. PJH doesn't need me to fight his corner, but let's remember the guy, I believe attends most games, home and away, therefore in my opinion, his input is quite valuable to all on forum. We don't have to agree on everything, DO WE !!!!
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PJH added 22:11 - Mar 19 Thank you warktheline but if wayway says that I am an idiot for suggesting that ITFC supporters should support ITFC, then perhaps I am. I am not blind to MM's faults, but I do think that he knows far more than any of us about managing a professional football club. Unless of course there are any Premier League managers posting on here!
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irishtim added 22:30 - Mar 19 Way too many on here looking for Mick's head. Yes mistakes are being made. Smith should be rested and Parr at right back. But to suggest Mick has lost the plot is way off the mark.Think we will beat Watford saturday. Also I believe we will make the playoffs. Real progress has been made on peanuts Who else could have got us so far with limited funds?
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wayway added 23:28 - Mar 19 I saw my first match at P R in 1956 when Sir Alf was manager so I think my credentials as a supporter are in order. Forget about Jewell and Keane, the John Duncan era was far worse. I was a member of the I T F C Action group at the time because I CARE about the club. It is easy to come on here and say everything in the garden is rosy and if you believe that well so be it. I complain and will continue to complain until th corporate Evans PLC and this stubborn boring manager change direction or are gone

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WorcesterBlue added 08:09 - Mar 20 All about opinions guys but quite right abuse and insults just not helpful. I've never been an MM fan (negative football, Incredibly high self opinion, relishes inflexibility etc) but there is no doubt he's been a huge positive influence in a way I couldn't have predicted. I think MM has benefitted from having an experienced football man with backbone to stick up for himself too. However I think his limitations (stated before) are now very apparent and it is questionable whether we can progress with him. But we've flirted with promotion and may still get a look in through the play offs and should we be able to bring in 3-4 good players on the back of this and not lose Bish, Mings and McG, then I think we'll rip it up next year. And yes John Duncan is without doubt the worst manager we've ever had (with Keane a close second!).

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WorcesterBlue added 08:10 - Mar 20 Meant ME of course!
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PJH added 09:11 - Mar 20 Good morning wayway. I actually first went to PR in 1954 so I have also been through the full spectrum of ITFC over the years. I am not saying that everything in the garden is rosy but from where it has been in recent years the club is on the up and in my opinion it is largely due to MM. I do not think ME or probably MM are going anywhere from PR in the immediate future so you will have to keep your negative posts coming. COYB

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Razor added 10:21 - Mar 20 This feels a bit like Derby away----all doom and gloom before the game and everybody expecting a right thrashing. Well we got a draw and should have won in a brave and great performance------mind you Henshall played and Bish made his debut. Paucooper is god is also spot on------see you all tomorrow.
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martin587 added 13:27 - Mar 20 2200 supporters going to Watford speaks for it's self.Well done people.Lets cheer them on as loud as possible.Well worth a goal.COYB
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