Town boss Mick McCarthy admits he’s gutted to have lost recent signing Steven Taylor for up to a month with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old joined the Blues in January having been a free agent after leaving MLS side the Portland Timbers and had made an impressive start to his Portman Road career before limping off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa, his second game for the club.

“I’m more gutted for me and us actually, rather than him!” McCarthy said when asked if he was gutted for Taylor. “Because he was good, he played well.

“I’m getting sick of being gutted for all the players. Let’s be gutted for the team for once.

“I’m kidding, of course. I am really sad for him because he’s come in and he’s a really good guy around the place, a really solid fella.

“He’s a good player, he’s been a good voice around it, an experienced voice. He’s just been good for the training ground, the lads have taken to him.

“And he’s going to be out for four weeks at least. He’ll tell me three but it'll be three or four weeks.”

He says the former Newcastle United man has been good influence on the rest of the squad since joining the club.

“I hear him when he’s in the dressing room with us and on the pitch is my thing, he’s always encouraging, he’s always cajoling, he’s always using his experience to pull players around, you can hear him doing that,” McCarthy said.

“That’s a big part of it and I just think that younger players gravitate towards lads like him who when they speak they speak sense and when they play they play well. Young fellas like to have them around them. The experienced players do as well.”

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 18:09 - Feb 13 So am I
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theblueginger added 18:10 - Feb 13 Solid player. His propensity or injury is probably the only reason we could sign him in the first place, so it's a blessing as well I guess. I think Taylor should be offered another year in the summer, given Berra looks likely to depart.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:14 - Feb 13 What did we expect? Le Pen, Chivelli, MARK FISH. Welcome to to PR
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jas0999 added 18:20 - Feb 13 It is certainly a shame, but sadly for Taylor (and us) he is a bit like Williams. Injury prone. Worth a punt on short term deal, but would have been remarkable if he played every game.
5

Karlosfandangal added 18:20 - Feb 13 I posted on here when we signed Taylor, that a Newcastle fan had a £5 bet that Taylor would only play a few games before being injured or sent off. Taylor, McGoldrick and Bishop Hyatt are good players but they are never fit enough to make a real difference to the team Maybe cash in on them and buy players who will play week in week out
0

Bostonblue added 18:54 - Feb 13 I'm gutted for us but hardly surprised!
2

Daleyitfc added 19:32 - Feb 13 It's John Scales all over again : just because the player himself is convinced he is not injury prone and wonders why he is accused of such, doesn't make it so. For reference purposes see also : Kieron Dyer ; Jonny Williams ; David McGoldrick ; Luke Hyam ; Giles Coke ...
3

Cloddyseedbed added 19:45 - Feb 13 Not as gutted as I was when I'd heard we had signed him. His injury record is appalling and now he's the wrong side of 30 he isn't going to suddenly change.
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mutters added 19:49 - Feb 13 Wish him a speedy recovery. I was delighted when we signed, he is a quality player with some injury concerns. Too good for the championship if fit, more premier league standard. We've taken a gamble, and if he stays fit for more of the season when back should be offered a new deal.
1

carsey added 19:53 - Feb 13 Looks like Tommy Smith may have to step up sooner than was planned - no Webster no Berra no Taylor unless he goes for Digby in the middle. Just as we seem to be getting it together a bit and with Brighton Leeds Newcastle and Norwich on the horizon
2

carsey added 19:54 - Feb 13 ** not sure why I put Newcastle**
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GiveusaWave added 22:35 - Feb 13 Gutted for Taylor, but I'd rather have Spence in the back 3 than Digby.....
2

oldelsworthyfan added 22:35 - Feb 13 Sad, but not the end of the world........ Balkowski Emmanuel Chambers Spence Knudsen Kenlock Ward Diagouraga Huws Lawrence McGoldrick with Smith, Bishop and Sears ready on the bench and anyone else other than Douglas and Skuse (when fit again)
2

oldelsworthyfan added 22:36 - Feb 13 Sad, but not the end of the world........ Balkowski Emmanuel Chambers Spence Knudsen Kenlock Ward Diagouraga Huws Lawrence McGoldrick with Smith, Bishop and Sears ready on the bench and anyone else other than Douglas and Skuse (when fit again)
1

ipswich4life added 23:41 - Feb 13 A injury prone player getting injured,what a shock
3

jaydruid added 02:24 - Feb 14 I'd love to believe he gets over this injury and can have a good run of games with us. As I say that, I'm looking at his past injury stats and wondering why I have that belief but sod it, I'm a fan and I believe he'll come good! COYB undefeated with Taylor, hashtag blah :)
2

KiwiBlue2 added 06:26 - Feb 14 Looking forward to seeing the line up for Brighton game. Would have been more confident if Taylor was fit. Not quite so concerned about Berra being missing. I like oldelsworthyfans line up but would have Chambers right in the middle. Looking ahead when we get Webster, Taylor and Smith all available we should have a very decent back 3 or 4 line up. I am also assuming that Chambers will be staying on. Would have 3 decent right sided cb's and just then would need back up for Tommy assuming Berra moves on.

1

Seasider added 16:21 - Feb 14 Hope Mick stays with the formation and players who did so well.especially second half against Villa. Has been tempted in the past to change his formation to match the opposition;but lets hope he doesn't succumb,and change it to 4-4-2.although could use a little subterfuge to try and confuse his friend Chris Hughton.On the other hand if he does this he could confuse his own players. What I hope he doesn't do,because Brighton are 2nd in League,is to try and play for a draw,which he indicated he would be happy with;as when he has tried this in the past has come unstuck and ended up with nothing.

1

blueboy1981 added 18:18 - Feb 15 ....... that's it - got a contract til' the end of the season, had a game and a half - won't see him again before the end of his contract. Good player - but another proverbial sick note.
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