Boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that Andre Dozzell will make his first senior start when the Blues take on Fulham at Portman Road on Tuesday evening, having made a goalscoring debut as a sub aged only 16 years and 350 days as Town drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

“He’s had to have an operation to wipe the smile off his face, to get the coat hanger out of his mouth!” McCarthy joked.

“Actually, he’s generally a smiley lad. He’s great, he’s enjoyed it and I don’t see any difference in him, he’s trained with us today and we’ll find out how that’s affected him because he’s playing tomorrow, he’s starting.”

McCarthy says Cole Skuse should be back from the injury which forced him out of the Owls game but Daryl Murphy remains sidelined with the calf problem he suffered while away with the Republic of Ireland.

“I’m expecting Skusey to be fit, he trained today and providing that he doesn’t have a reaction to the stiff neck he had he’ll be fine, but not Murph. He had a little reaction to the injury, so he’ll be missing.”

Does McCarthy expect the 33-year-old striker to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough? “We’ll just wait and see with him. The danger is for him as much as anybody.

“The European Championships are coming up, don’t get me wrong he wants to be playing for us, but there is that real carrot at the end of the season for him and I’d love him to go and enjoy it, play and experience that because it’s a wonderful opportunity.

“The temptation is to try and get back so you’re playing and you’re in everybody’s eyeline, but I think you just make sure he’s fit, if that’s for the last two games or last game, and that’s he’s fit and he’ll be ready and able to go there.

"And he’s no good to us if he’s not fit anyway. Let’s try and get him back.”

Luke Varney will also miss out against the Cottagers, McCarthy says: “Luke’s got a hamstring strain. Nothing major but he’s not available for Tuesday night."

Luke Hyam will be back from his one-match ban, while loanee Ben Pringle is unavailable against his parent club.

Youngsters Adam McDonnell, Myles Kenlock and Josh Emmanuel weren’t included in this afternoon’s U21s side at Sheffield United and are likely to be amongst the subs as they were at Hillsborough at the weekend.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboytedwardo19 added 23:49 - Apr 18 how about this for a team? bart Emmanuel Chambo Smith Knudsen Foley Bru Douglas Dozzell McG Sears would be an interesting approach, would love to see kenlock play but i didn't want to force too many youngsters in. also thought it may be different if douglas plays without skuse? can always sub him at half time... actually feeling optimistic tomorrows game against fulham even if we lose. all this talk of the youngsters being given an opportunity is good for the future of this club. COYB

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harlingblue added 02:46 - Apr 19 Bart Chambers Smith Emmanual Skuse Knudsen Foley Dozzell Sears Feeney McGoldrick
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MrDiddle added 12:25 - Apr 19 @blueboy it must me lonely up there looking down your nose at the rest of us peasant fans!
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grinch added 18:13 - Apr 19 Currie 10 he would still of had to put the ball in the net and knudsen had improved over the season just that at times the person in front of him just doesn't support if he keeps improving will be good asset next season.
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blueboy1981 added 18:55 - Apr 19 MrDiddle ........ better add you to the list, sorry I forgot you.
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