Striker Brett Pitman and midfielder Luke Hyam will both miss Saturday’s trip to Brentford through injury, manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed.

Pitman suffered a thigh problem in training and missed the 1-0 EFL Cup defeat to Stevenage, while Hyam, red-carded in the home fixture against the Bees last season, picked up a knee injury in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge United.

“He’s still struggling, he’s not going to be fit for Saturday,” McCarthy said regarding Pitman. “I’m hopeful for Tuesday, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

“Luke’s not fit, he’s still recovering from that damaged nerve in his knee. I don’t know how long he’ll be out. We were being optimistic that he’d be back and up and running now, but it’s not the case. I’m not going to put a time on it.”

He added: “Everyone else is OK, there are a few bumps and bruises, that’s all, a bit of fatigue as you’d expect.

“Grant Ward had cramp. He’d not played that much in pre-season and having had Saturday’s game, the euphoria of that and the adrenaline going, he played again on Tuesday night. Conor Grant just had a bit of a tight groin but they’re OK, they’re fine.”

McCarthy says he'll decide on his team on Friday: “I’ll see how they all are tomorrow because we had the game on Tuesday. Some of them have been able to recover.

"The ones that have played two games, I’ll certainly take a look at them all tomorrow and see how they’re all feeling.

“They’ll all tell me they’re OK, of course, but it’s my decision as to whether they play or not.”

McCarthy made his anger at Tuesday’s performance clear and called his players in for training on Wednesday when they weren’t due at Playford Road.

“I said that that doesn’t warrant a day off,” he continued. “I’m always the one to give them plenty of time off and rest and recuperation and time with their families because, to be honest, they repay me back in spades by the way they work.

“But that wasn’t an occasion to do it. We all suffered a little bit. I didn’t see my granddaughter. I drove my wife back at half-past 10, turned around at five o’clock and came back in the morning. We got beat, so it’s no hardship.”

Striker Daryl Murphy trained with the squad this morning after being given a few days off having had little time off over the summer and will start on Saturday, while midfielder Giles Coke is continuing his recovering from the knee surgery he underwent at the end of last season.

McCarthy said that no moves in or out of the club are currently imminent.

Meanwhile, Town’s U21s are playing a friendly against Colchester United at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).

TWTD

iaintaylorx added 13:53 - Aug 11 I know many fans don't rate him, but I do like Hyam and hope he gets to full fitness and shows the doubters what he can offer. I feel he is better in a defensive role, winning the ball and then giving off the simple pass to players who can take it forward. Time is on his side!
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Andy32Cracknell added 13:58 - Aug 11 Good management getting them in, gives the players a chance to get a well below performance out of the system quickly. Also gives them a chance to have honest chat and sort it out. Even though some good football was played at times they need to be far my clinical in the final third. Unfortunately it aint gunna happen if a few players keep going for glory.
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Pilgrimblue added 14:04 - Aug 11 Sadly that could let in Douglas as MM tries a surprise move in the hope that he'll be the match winner! Fat chance Hope he'll only be out short time so time for Bru to show his best
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RoyalAscotBlue added 14:39 - Aug 11 I had to read this story twice... First time round I couldn't believe that Mick could possibly be talking about fatigue after just 2 games. But that is indeed what he said, apparently. And apparently it's to be expected.
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Karlosfandangal added 14:58 - Aug 11 Sound like last season all over again, really have no enthusiasm for this season as I really cant see town being more than a mid table team. We do not have the financial clout that the relegated teams have and too many teams just splash cash at their squads. We will get to the stage where we hoof the ball up and wonder why we are not scoring and losing matches, not really interested who MM plays anymore

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essextractorboy93 added 15:07 - Aug 11 LeatherheadBlue - trying to put a negative spin on any story as much as possible unforunately. I think id rather trust the professional physios at the club.. Murphy has been given a few days off because he played in the Euros over the summer so he had a much shorter break than the rest of the squad. Better he get a bit of rest now instead of later in the season. The rest of the squad haven't played for 3 months and then play 2 competitive games in the space of 4 days so its inevitable there will be a few who struggle more than others. Shame Pitman and Hyam arent fit for this weekend, Pitman provides something a bit different up front but still confident in Murphy, McGoldrick and Sears.

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muccletonjoe added 15:16 - Aug 11 ....but interested enough to post a comment karlos.
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Penguinblue added 15:21 - Aug 11 Usual pathetic drivel from McCarthy. Are any of you really taken in by his crap?
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essextractorboy93 added 15:27 - Aug 11 Penguinblue - could say the same thing back to you...
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tractorboybig added 15:32 - Aug 11 mick, just say this squad is a load of crap and you have run out of excuses.
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Currie10 added 15:43 - Aug 11 Oh bore off Penguin you add absolutely zero apart from negative drivel.
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Penguinblue added 16:08 - Aug 11 essextractor/currie Sounds like you deserve McCarthy then if you are taken in by his crap and enjoy his standard of hoofball - the longer you and like minded supporters accept it the longer it will be before ITFC are restored to the team they should be.
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Currie10 added 16:18 - Aug 11 Not a massive Hyam fan but rather have him fit than not. Still cannot believe some people on here from a past debate think he's on £3000 p.w. Our wage bill isn't over £17 mill for no reason, we have many players on good ££££.
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bluefeast added 16:21 - Aug 11 MMs management of certain players is odd. Take Sears for example ,if you play someone like him out of position and make him run like a dog eventually he will go lame. Which by all accounts he looked the other night. Most wide midfield players have overlapping full backs to cover the ground in front of them. Sears does not get this from Chambers ,who has DNA to defend first ,so crossing the half way line is alien to him. The situation with our left back is different ,he will try and get forward but his delivery is division 1 at best. Centre mid is rigid for us and in other teams its fluid. Sears gets done and if he doesn't its all very last ditch. Since late December last year we have looked disjointed and easy to open up. I don't think anything has changed. I have predicted we will finish 16th if the current players remain as first choice.

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bluefeast added 16:38 - Aug 11 I also think people on here that go and watch will have a similar view to me , where as perhaps those that don't may just disagree. Let me tell you all is not well with our squad ,we looked burnt out in preseason , against barnsley we got lucky to a degree , against stevenage we looked 2nd best , lets see how we do vs brentford who have had a terrible start to the season. Are we good enough to win vs a poor form side. Time will tell.

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runningout added 16:53 - Aug 11 Hyam won't be missed Im afraid to say.. Like most of our squad, needs to grow up in football terms. Bluefeast is right
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DirtyOldNodger added 17:18 - Aug 11 How do you know all is not well with our squad bluefeast? Do you work with the team at Playford Rd?
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bluefeast added 17:28 - Aug 11 DIRTYOLDNODGER basically ,our preseason was poor , we were diabolical vs barnsley 1st half and have just been outplayed and lost vs stevenage. Our preseason games did nothing to enhance belief. Its well known our squad has played better than its actual ability for a couple of years. That all changed from January this year. So yes all is not well with our squad ,its not performing and back up players are way below standard. The management by Mcarthy is at best rigid i.e. he really knows only one way. If you would like to add what is great about our results during 2016 including preseason i would be delighted to here a balanced perspective from you.

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jas0999 added 17:55 - Aug 11 For me, both these players are a big miss. Hyam, not because I'd start him, but it would hopefully keep Douglas well away from the match day team. We don't of course need three defence minded players in the team inc. bench. Pitman is an impact player and as Varney wasn't replaced and Sears is playing as a wide man, it leaves us an off form Murphy and injury prone McGoldrick. I still believe we need another striker, a target man albeit possibly a season loan.

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Pessimistic added 18:10 - Aug 11 We throw that game on Tuesday night and Mick knows it. Why tell the opposition 24 hours in advance your team selection - unless of course you want to bow out. Every time we have done this we have lost. Coincidence my foot. Feel sorry for the loyal fans who had to suffer because this honest Yorkshireman is no so honest after all.
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manualthetisfanclub added 18:43 - Aug 11 I'm not bothered about excuses, the team needs fresh impetus and I'm afraid another wasted season awaits unless minimum of couple of quality signings to hopefully boost the team. I don't buy the Barnsley result, just papers over cracks! Like the thought of hall and grant, just needs more of the same! Alas can't see it
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hadleighboyblue added 18:50 - Aug 11 Pitman will be a big loss on Saturday , leaving us short of attacking options . It highlights the need for an additional striker , as back up to the existing forwards who are short of goals lately .
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Brownie added 19:13 - Aug 11 Penguinblue I suggest the point is that despite last seasons boring football some people are trying to be slightly constructive rather than just cutting and pasting the same comments. I don't remember the style being different when we beat Brentford to go top on Boxing Day; my memory is everyone singing MM was a miracle worker. Surely the club is better off than when he took over? Repeating myself now but MM deserves the chance to improve the style & win games. Will he achieve that? Personally I doubt it but I will support the team whilst we find out..

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MicksZzzTactics added 19:47 - Aug 11 @Leatherhead .... and everyone else actually: Hate to bring it to you good folks & fans, but if you haven't already well it's simply about time you stop taking ANYTHING Dinosaur Mick says & proclaims, as "by default" being remotely truthful .... for "GRANTed"!!! ---- No pun intended of course!:-). ---- Ohhh and and as a corollary to that: Ehhhh you should really also cease to take anything his Hoof susceptible favorite XI is about to do or are in the process of doing on the field for "GRANTed"!!! :-) (For a most recent example just see for instance the starkest of contrast in Saturday's 2nd half ultra inspiring "King Midas" performance ... compared to Tuesday's vastly rubbish and utter lackluster full 90 minute excruciating "I-want-my-ticketmoney-back!"performance!!!). But back to Mick The Harbinger of Horseshiiiiiit . No real serious offense intended towards our wonderful & successful BUT at the same time also immensely fan & Cup disrespecting manager ..... but ehhhh just isolating his 3+ seasons here in Suffolk there is already a truckload of circumstantial evidence to back up the notion that the man basically is the equivalent of a certified "SNAKE OIL SALESMAN" .... just to use a cool 19th century Wild Wild West expression .... and no doubt could even successfully "Sell Sand in Sahara" to the absolute most gullible and blind-faith'ed-in/by-him Zzzzuckers out there on planet earth! ............. Soooo in other words: If they boss says the lads area bit "fatigued" after JUST 1½-2 games of the 2016/2017 season .... well they are "fatigued" darn it!!!. Period end of story :-) rofl rofl rofl rofl

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Kirbmeister added 20:02 - Aug 11 Brilliant - one league game into the season (which we won) and the knives are well and truly sharpened ready for the next defeat. I get the impression most of us want the team to fail. I don't know if we're going to have a good reason or not but for gods sake lighten up. You never k ie we may actually do ok tomorrow.
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