Teddy Bishop and Luke Varney are doubts ahead of Saturday’s visit to Leeds, while Grant Ward is expected to be OK to make the trip to Elland Road despite missing training this week.

One-time Leeds frontman Varney was subbed in the first half of Monday’s U23s game, coincidentally also against Leeds, and manager Mick McCarthy says the 33-year-old is a concern: “He’s got a tight hamstring and we’ll wait and see, but he’s a doubt for Saturday.

“Bish has a broken nose and has had a mask made for him and he’s a doubt for Saturday.”

Bishop suffered his injury when he clashed heads with Ashley Westwood during the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday and McCarthy says Ward has also been feeling the effects of that game.

“Grant Ward got a knock in the back a couple of times, so he hasn’t trained with us,” he said. “But he’s trained today, he’s done some legwork, some running and he’ll be fine. He’ll train tomorrow, he’s the only other one to report.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy confirmed that midfielder Luke Hyam won’t require surgery on the damaged nerve in his knee he suffered in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge.

“Good news for Luke, he did some work before he went to see the specialist and he felt considerably better,” the Town boss added.

“He’s been to see the specialist, who did the nerve conduction test again and he’s improved significantly in that two weeks, so we fully expect him to improve and he doesn’t need an op, which is good news.”

Central defender Tommy Smith has had his back operation, which is expected to keep him out for 12 weeks, and McCarthy says it went well.

“His has gone great, but he’s not been in, he’s been encouraged to walk but he’s got to stay at home, he won’t be coming in for a while,” he said.

“He’s delighted with his surgery, the surgeon was as well. He’s got his feeling and power back in his foot already, so that’s good news. He’s fine.”

David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams remain sidelined with their ankle problems, while young midfielder Adam McDonnell is also undergoing treatment for a knock at present.

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hoppy added 14:23 - Sep 22 Very apt picture... He's got that kind of doubtful expression on his face. Hopefully not out for long if he doesn't make Saturday. That was a hell of a bash that Bishop took, wasn't it?
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Burnzee1991 added 14:24 - Sep 22 lots of injuries at the minute but great to have the depth in the squad to cope :-) Hope everyone gets back to fitness soon! Bring on Leeds COYB!!
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Lightningboy added 15:19 - Sep 22 Christ..why are so many players so powder puff these days...seriously,the slightest thing. Could learn a thing or two about manning-up from Terry Butcher.
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TimmyH added 15:37 - Sep 22 Agreed...back in the day players would play through injuries, no masks etc. makes you wonder if the club/clubs are a bit cautious regarding legal action from players if their careers come to an end prematurely. As mentioned a fair amount of players out at present, we really don't need any more.
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MattinLondon added 15:52 - Sep 22 Maybe that's why ‘back in the day' so many players retired quite young because they played too many games and their bodies didn't have to recover from.
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DurhamTownFan added 16:07 - Sep 22 Seriously? Were questioning the commitment of a lad whose just broken his nose?! Dear me
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muhrensleftfoot added 16:11 - Sep 22 yes indeed, "back in the day" players were not so well looked after. With today's care, Kevin Beattie would have been properly cared for, rehabilitated, played until his mid 30's & be recognised as England's greatest ever defender. Mind you he wouldn't be playing for a mid table Championship side....
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Ferguson added 17:01 - Sep 22 We knew it would be a battle with Villa given their yellow cards in previous games. I wish all the lads a speedy recovery - especially Varney and Bishop who've been bugged with injury. BUT THINK WHO CAN COVER FOR THEM. It's a better squad than some on here thought isn't it ? Quietly confident we'll keep Wood and his new pals quiet and get a result at Elland Rd. 0-2, Best to score both. There y'are look. COYB

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12th_Man added 17:08 - Sep 22 It's going to be the same team as we had v Aston Villa
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Cakeman added 17:24 - Sep 22 I think the speed of the game has changed dramatically over the years. This has made the referees make more mistakes and players getting injured more too. I seriously question why the clubs now provide playing surfaces that are more suitable to lawn bowls as well. We now experience far more ankle twists and serious knee injuries than ever before. It is not that far back when we played with eleven regulars week in week out with just one sub on the bench, who during my time was usually Kevin O'Callaghan. The drive for the perfect game has not always been for the good.

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PortmanTerrorist added 17:33 - Sep 22 Same team but expect Best to come on sooner for Pitman. Lawrence to score....this lad could be something special, maybe even better than Williams. having said that I can kick a ball so that makes me better than Williams right now.
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Elto added 17:41 - Sep 22 Difficult to be 100% committed with a broken nose I would think.
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sidtheswan added 17:46 - Sep 22 Hope they all recover quickly as strength in depth is needed if we are to have a good season .
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blueboy1981 added 18:12 - Sep 22 .......... not too many Matty Hollands around in todays game. All to easy to make a pile these days - play or not, injured, or fit.
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dannyrr added 18:54 - Sep 22 Hope he's not out too long. On that matter I still don't believe that there was no reprimand for the awful tackle. Bush was about to head the ball and the Villa player had no chance of getting it. It could've or should've warranted a card at least but there wasn't even a free kick given to us. Instead they were given possession. Bonkers!!!
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TimmyH added 21:34 - Sep 22 I accept the game has got quicker and injuries such as Hamstrings occur more often and foot injuries due to the plimsoles they now wear but is it all about the player rather than the club their playing for? play through the pain barrier if need be...a few of our players at times look like their carrying an injury when their fit. As for playing into the mid-30's...well how many at that age in the current squad would I want playing here at a certain standard - None! the answer again it's all about the player. They have a contract to oblige and sometimes that means every now and again 'roughing' it a bit, not all about the £££.

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AussieTom added 00:29 - Sep 23 If suggest that most players (esp. in a MM team) would want to play regardless of injury, it's surely the club who hold them back on the advice of the medical team. No player wants to be injured regardless inflow much wedge they are on.
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