Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Tommy Smith will continue at centre-half when the Blues travel to Reading for Friday’s live Sky game, while Conor Grant is back from his groin injury and Leon Best is OK despite turning his ankle in the U23s game on Monday, but Luke Hyam could face surgery on his knee problem.

McCarthy recalled New Zealand international Smith for the Preston match a fortnight ago with Adam Webster dropping to the bench and the Blues boss says he will be sticking with the same defence against the Royals.

"Tommy’s playing, it’s the same back four," the Town boss confirmed.

Regarding on-loan Everton midfielder Grant, who has missed the last three games, he added: “He caught the eye in his first few appearances for the club. He played in the U23s here, the last couple of games, had 65 minutes in one and 80 in the other. He looks a constant threat.

“Technically he looks very good and he’s trained this week and it’s great, good to have him back.”

Recent signing Leon Best will be fine to take his place in the squad for the first time having trained after missing a couple of days as a precaution, but David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams (both ankle) still out. McGoldrick is expected to be back in early November and Williams in October.

Luke Hyam damaged nerve in his knee in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge and could go under the surgeon’s knife.

“We didn’t expect any of those three back for this weekend, so there are no surprises. Everybody else is fit,” McCarthy continued.

“Luke has got to wait, he went to see a specialist and he’s got to wait another two weeks. We’re still hoping that it’ll settle down, but if it doesn’t it will require surgery.

“But, as the surgeon says, he’s doing his job and due diligence, the last thing you want is to be opened up, so I think it’s a week on Monday, that’ll be the two weeks before he goes and sees him again.”

McCarthy says it’s tough on the 24-year-old who missed the first half of last season having undergone knee surgery during that summer.

“He gets very down with himself and we all try and help,” the Town boss said. “But all of us who have played know what it’s like when you’re injured and you’re not coming back and you’re looking for a fast fix, you just want somebody with a magic wand to say, ‘There you are, you’re all right’, and, of course, that doesn’t happen.

“He’s such a fit lad and he prides himself in being such, and a strong lad, that it does get him down.

“We gave him a bit of time off, he went away and at least he will have enjoyed that but he’s come back here now and he’s sat around doing nothing, so he’s back to square one, until a week on Monday or Tuesday when he sees the surgeon.

“If it’s improved significantly, we’ll carry on with what we’ve been doing, if it hasn’t it’ll be surgery.”

Photo: TWTD

boroughblue added 14:44 - Sep 8 sounds like webster could struggle to get back into the team.
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iaintaylorx added 15:17 - Sep 8 Webster hasn't done anything wrong to me (apart from the penalty which Bart saved). He has taken a big step up and potentially looks a great buy but I'm really glad Tommy s back though. Best of luck to Luke, must be pretty sh**!
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hoppy added 15:33 - Sep 8 Webster's time will come, and he's looked as though he will be a really good buy for us, what I've seen of him, but at the same time, Tommy was unlucky to have dropped out initially. I hope Hyam doesn't need to have surgery, for his sake, but I think it could be a while before he gets back in the side, even if fit, given the attacking creative options we have this side of the transfer window.

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unknown100 added 15:37 - Sep 8 Hyam shouldn't get near the team this year anyway, looking forward to seeing the new signings, have a strangly good feeling about best!
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ArnieM added 15:37 - Sep 8 The future partnership will be Smith : Webster. Berra will have gone back to Scotland this time next year . Thougt he was going this Summer tbh
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prebbs007 added 15:42 - Sep 8 So the same shocking back 4 that let us down constantly last season. 2 out of the 4 out of position and our most expensive purchase on the bench. Nice one Mick back to the favourites. And don't anyone say "they kept a clean sheet last game". Preston were dreadful and the keystone cops would have struggled to let a goal in. This back 4 will also take us back to hoofball when we now have midfield creativity and no target man. Brilliant.

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ThatMuhrenCross added 15:46 - Sep 8 Smith and Webster will end up being the partnership. Berra can't have many more seasons left in him at this level, however he's unquestionably been our best defender in recent seasons.
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Green_Army added 15:59 - Sep 8 Rightly so with Tommy Smith, he had an excellent game against Preston, a performance that he should of been given more credit for post-match.
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oldelsworthyfan added 16:09 - Sep 8 Webster will be back before long.
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DanLyles added 16:15 - Sep 8 Some very healthy competition for the attacking roles now. Will be even stronger when Williams and Didz are back. Highly unlikely to be played by Mick but this is my XI when everybody is fit: (4-3-3): Bart; Emmanuel, Smith, Berra, Kenlock; Williams, Skuse, Grant; Ward, McGoldrick, Lawrence. Great attacking options like Sears, Best, Pitman, Bishop and Bru on the bench.
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Bluebell added 16:17 - Sep 8 Pleased that Smith is keeping his place. With Grant back and the new players we have a fantastic team and it will be a great bench too. Reading have been our bogie team for ages. About time we beat them at their plastic stadium. COYBs
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sheepy606 added 16:24 - Sep 8 Is it just me, or is Tommy looking more and more like an unfortunate version of Liam Neeson?
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Pilgrimblue added 16:28 - Sep 8 Pleased for Smith but in near future I'd pick Wbster ahead of Berra who's slowing down and gives too many fouls away. Should get at least a draw on Fiday
3

cornishblu added 16:51 - Sep 8 Absolutely infuriating ...but sadly not surprising....we have discovered a ball playing CB whose first instinct is to ease pressure by playing the ball to a blue shirt and Mick drops him , favouring the old hoofball system..... Sigh ....smacks of last season beginning...all got excited about attacking full backs...a few games in back to old tactics #onetrickmick COYB

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Ferguson added 17:21 - Sep 8 Tommy Smith is and could be a very important player for this club. His ratings around the press last week were high and deservedly so. He should be an automatic selection, in his natural place and others should make way. Knudsen and Berra's performances will be crucial against Reading and with the added razzamattaz and hype of the Sky bandwagon in attendance the game will be more challenging than usual.It could have been especially so for Webster I think..but he'll be back for sure. Recently it seems The Royals nearly always score at home but I'm optimistic for 2-1 to the Town. Pitman and a Tommy Smith header at the death to win it. Both in the second half. Have a £5 on that for me ladies and gentlemen.

4

jas0999 added 17:37 - Sep 8 Webster may be a good addition for the future, but thought we missed Tommy Smith defensively. The only issue is he, like our other defenders, will hoof the ball forward to a non existent Murphy. Good opportunity to record an away win tomorrow though, as up against below average opposition.
3

Keaneish added 17:38 - Sep 8 Completely the right call Mick. I think you've seen what many others have and that Webster isn't ready for the Championship just yet. Good prospect but a mistake to throw him in so early. Looked nervy on the ball at times and positionally he's at sea even with Berra next to him. A few too many mistakes for so early in his career so totally the right call pulling him out. Having said that, i'd rather Chambers played centrally...

2

therein61 added 18:04 - Sep 8 We miss Tommy defensively, but not on the right side of the defence he has to turn himself inside out before he can release a ball(usually resulting in a hoof) as a result while he struggles he makes the right backs job harder but then if we played a proper right back instead of the current finger pointing person(nothing's my fault!!) playing there(and should not be) we will labour and shed goals this season as we did last year and the points lost with this formation cost us a play off place now(god knows why maybe keep the skipper happy)Mick has reverted to it(hope it works but I fear the worst)I will be at Reading tomorrow night(my first game this season(since retiring) as it's only a 70 mile drive from Bath(can't do with tele prefer live) so I would like to drive back after seeing Town get 3 points.

4

Tractorboy1985 added 19:06 - Sep 8 When I saw Webster on YouTube clips he was bombing up and down from the right back position.. Why don't we give him a go there? He clearly has potential and like many good young players (Beattie) start there trade at full back then come inside.. I love chambers as our captain but right back he is not! The selection should be smith/chambers at centre halve alongside Berra at this moment.. Pull Webster out to full back who I'm sure would flourish with grant ward ahead of him!! Here's to a positive result 2morro COYB!!!

6

Ipswich58 added 19:06 - Sep 8 Same old McCarthy. Webster should be at right back with Chambers and Smith CBs. No doubt he will play Skuse and Douglas ignoring the talent available as he always does. It's all very well signing exciting young players but he rarely plays them when push comes to shove he doesn't trust skill because he was a one trick donkey
5

Ipswich58 added 19:08 - Sep 8 On other matters - anyone think the Olympic ticket scandal might lead to regime change ?
2

warkthelint added 19:11 - Sep 8 Back to form McCarthy.Friday night will defensive drudgery and looking to contain high flyers Reading. This man is not for turning so expect more of the same and a tough evening with no flair at all from us and looking to contain..ho hum....
3

RaymondovicBlue added 19:14 - Sep 8 Agree with most.... Webster is the future with Captain Smith to his left. Webster isn't QUITE there yet, and sadly Berra hasn't quite been the player he was either... A few Scottish pounds offered and I would seriously consider selling in January UNLESS he bucks his game up..... Which he is quite capable of doing Even now I believe Webster would be better and more confident with Solid Smith on his left... After all, even Berra has benefited from Tommy's rescues many times.... RECENTLY Smith has been our best defender (especially considering he was playing on wrong side). Should have benched Berra in my view not Smith. But then again I guess Mick HAD to keep Berra in the shop window. I'll be watching the box on Friday... COYB

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RaymondovicBlue added 20:02 - Sep 8 Tractorboy1985..... I'd not thought of it before my post... But Webster cutting his teeth at RB with Chambers and Smith inside is actually a good call...
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Daleyitfc added 20:08 - Sep 8 Webster is the worst centre-half we've ever had (and I saw Glenn Keeley play), and I suspect even McCarthy has realised that. Hyam & McGoldrick (and Jonny "I'm 22 but look 52" Williams) permanently injured : I'm sure I've had this deja vu before ... next : Basher Bishop will be blown over in a strong breeze and miss the rest of the season. Get rid of the lot of them.
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