Town boss Mick McCarthy has no new injury problems ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Derby County.

“Believe it or not, no,” McCarthy said when asked if anyone had suffered a new knock at Preston on Saturday.

The Blues manager says loan signing Toumani Diagouraga will be assessed ahead of the Rams’ visit having played his first senior game for six months at Deepdale: “He was feeling it a bit, so we’ll see tomorrow.”

Town have confirmed that centre-half Steven Taylor has signed his contract to the end of the season but the former Newcastle man’s international clearance - he was with the Portland Timbers in the MLS until December - won’t come through before tomorrow’s match but the 31-year-old should be available for Saturday’s home game against Reading.

“We’ve not had clearance, that takes a little while longer than just a normal transfer,” he added. “But he’s trained again today, he looks fine, he’s in good nick.”

Asked whether recent signing Kieffer Moore might be in line to make his full debut against the Rams, McCarthy said: “He’s in the squad and he’s available to start. He did well on Saturday when he came on. I think he’s going to prove a good acquisition for us.”

Town’s other signing from the National League, winger Danny Rowe, has joined the Blues with a minor hip flexor problem so won’t be involved against the Rams.

“Of course it’s a step up for them,” McCarthy added regarding Moore and Rowe. “But what I like about them is they’re hungry for it so they know they’re going to have to come in and work that bit harder and prove themselves and that does nobody any harm. I think we all get the benefit of that.”

McCarthy has made five signings during the January window, with today and tomorrow remaining to add to his squad, which he says has largely been down to the injury problems this season.

“We’d had so many injuries, so really it’s protection,” he continued. “There are 18 games left and once it’s shut, that’s it, it’s done. And I don’t want to be in the position where I’ve got 13 fit players again.

“So some of them are on short-term deals, some are on loans but they’ll all add something to the squad.”

He added: “We are getting them back, Didzy’s back, Teddy Bishop’s playing in the U23s at Charlton today - he needs a game he’s only had 60 minutes in the last eight weeks. If he gets through 90 minutes today he’ll be a lot better off for Saturday.

“Tommy Smith looks like he’ll be playing in his first game for the U23s on February 4th, so it is just looking like a stronger squad. The problem will be I’m going to have to leave some of them in the stand.

“It’ll be good to have him back, he’s come through the youth system here, he’s been a really good player and he’s been an absolute star for me, he’s been penned in pretty much.

“When Webbo came he lost his spot but nevertheless he just continued scrapping away and showed what a good pro he is. He’s been great in his recovery from his back injury, he’s trained today, he’s looking really good.”

Still sidelined are Luke Hyam (knee), Adam Webster (ankle) , Jonny Williams (shoulder), Myles Kenlock (calf) and Giles Coke (knee).

Photo: TWTD

ChrisFelix added 15:33 - Jan 30 PLEASE no. Douglas
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carlo88 added 17:09 - Jan 30 We're all very worried about Giles Coke's knee.
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Seasider added 19:22 - Jan 30 Think you will find Chrishants that Dougie is a last dropping down the pecking order,in fact could be given a free transfer or go out on loan for rest of season.Doesn't look like club is taking up an option to extend his contract thank goodness.Same goes for Best;but he is injured again anyway;and Danny Rowe is also injured,and he only arrived from Macclesfield the other day!!!

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