Striker David McGoldrick, who recently returned from his latest spell on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage, says he has been doing his best to lift the spirits of team-mate Luke Hyam, who has also paid a high price for being injured in recent times.

Midfielder Hyam picked up a knee injury in the pre-season game at Cambridge and has been out of action since, suffering a major setback last month when it was revealed he would require surgery and it will be mid-December before he is likely to recommence training.

McGoldrick, who is currently away with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Austria, said: “I know what he’s going through and I talk to him quite a bit. He’s a great lad and a top professional who works so hard.

"He’s careful with his diet and he trains in the gym all the time but he’s had a few setbacks.

“He’s a younger lad and I try to tell him to keep his head up. He’s had down days and I think it helps him. He [was in the other day] and he was as bright as anything. Long may it continue.”

Manager Mick McCarthy says Hyam is on schedule: “He’s progressing, it was always going to be a long-term thing having had the operation on the nerve. He’s in his rehab and he’s doing as well as expected.”

Regarding McGoldrick giving the former Northgate High School pupil pep talks as he continues his comeback, he added: “I’m sure he does, they all do, although I’m not sure if encouragement is going into the physio room and taking the piss every morning, which generally happens with my lads, that’s not changed, thankfully.

WATCH | Town midfielder, Luke Hyam gives Ipswich Player HD an update on the knee injury that has kept him out of action since July #itfc pic.twitter.com/a5C9YqP9Rr

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) November 10, 2016

“That’s that banter and I’m sure Didzy will, having experienced all the injuries he’s had. He’s in a good place to give him a bit of perspective on the fact that he will be fit and he will be back playing.

“I’ve seen Didzy very low as well, when he’d just come back and he did his hammy and he was out for 12 weeks last season, so he’s got plenty of experience of those injuries.”

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Keith Bertschin has been named the new manager of Vanarama National League side Solihull Moors.

Bertschin, 60, who has previously worked as the assistant to Steve Bruce at Birmingham, Wigan, Sunderland and Hull City, replaces Marcus Bignot, who took over as boss at League Two club Grimsby Town earlier in the week.

Photo: TWTD

WoodsFriesRice added 07:22 - Nov 10 Mcgoldrick helps lift Hyam's spirits... and ricks his back while doing do so. Out for six weeks.
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Burnzee1991 added 08:50 - Nov 10 Northgate High Cchool typo. Hope Hyam comes back fit and really gives it his all :D
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Currie10 added 09:24 - Nov 10 Looks like a grammar error above, assume it should have been " is also being paid a high price for being injured in recent times. " Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Hyam but when someone like him rejects the original offer I would certainly not come back with an improved contract.
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PhilTWTD added 09:37 - Nov 10 Burnzee1991 Typo amended.
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ArnieM added 09:40 - Nov 10 I think LH will find it very difficult to get a place in the team now. He seems to be constantly injured to me.
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mickeyjb added 10:43 - Nov 10 I do think that Luke will be off at some stage. I can see him going to Colly.
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Yallop added 12:04 - Nov 10 Was very lucky to get offered a 2/3 year new deal with his record over the past few seasons. The wages should have been spent elsewhere.
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muccletonjoe added 13:29 - Nov 10 Hyan is a good player . Hopefully he has learnt from his mistakes and we see him back firing on all cylinders on the run in
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adeblueboy added 13:36 - Nov 10 Next stop...0ff to Colchester
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osborne1nil added 18:30 - Nov 10 Adds a bit of bite to the midfield and I rate him more than both Skuse and Douglas and he has youth on his side. I think he has been unlucky with injuries of late but prior to this spell he was rarely injured. Being a local lad and Ipswich being his team I believe also is a benefit.
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