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Chambers a Doubt But Berra, Skuse and Smith Back
Thursday, 16th Feb 2017 14:22

Skipper Luke Chambers is a doubt ahead of Saturday’s home game against Leeds with a cracked rib which he sustained when scoring the Blues’ goal in the 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday. Town are already without Tom Lawrence, who is suspended having picked up his 10th booking at the Amex, and Toumani Diagouraga, who is unavailable against his parent club, but Christophe Berra, Cole Skuse and Tommy Smith are all back in the squad after injury, and winger Danny Rowe could also be involved for the first time since joining from Macclesfield in the transfer window.

“Luke Chambers cracked a rib when he went and dived in and scored his goal,” manager Mick McCarthy said. “That’s been confirmed today with a scan.

“It was a bruising encounter, it was a great game, an exciting game and an enjoyable game, we played very well in it. Chambo’s one that we’re having to consider.

“Tom Lawrence got booked so he’s suspended for two games. Bruising, they’ve taken their toll the two away games like that, travelling, and both games were pretty tough and physical. They’ve just rested up, they’ll all be OK, Chambo we’ll see.”

Despite another of his centre-halves picking up a knock McCarthy dismissed the idea he might have to consider coming out of retirement to fill in.

“My mind is willing, the body’s not. I’m not even sure the mind’s willing now because it knows the body can’t do it!" he laughed.

“Tommy Smith played in the U23s and he’s available, Diggers is still available and Christophe Berra’s OK for the game.

“I wouldn’t want to lose Chambo because I think he’s been outstanding and deserves a lot of credit considering what was happening on deadline day.”

McCarthy is pleased to have Berra, who suffered a concussion at Aston Villa last Saturday, available again.

“He’s been pretty much a constant performer all through my tenure here," he added. "From signing him he’s been pretty much a fixture there.

“The lads have filled in well for him, I think Jonas Knudsen has been outstanding in that position and Jordan Spence has come in on a Bosman free transfer and he’s done remarkably well and we’ve had good results from it.”

With Diagouraga ineligible, Cole Skuse looks set to come back into midfield having overcome his achilles injury.

“He’s fine, I’ve just watched him training and he’s given me the thumbs up,” the Blues boss added. “I’m pleased with that.”

McCarthy says recent signing Rowe could come into contention for the weekend having got over his groin problem: “He trained today, so if he’s fit he’ll be in the squad.”

Luke Hyam came through his first U23 game after his lengthy absence with a knee injury on Monday, when he played 65 minutes, without a problem and is looking good in training but isn't yet ready to start and seems unlikely to be in the squad.

McCarthy says Jonny Williams is making good progress after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last year, even if he might be a touch dispirited today.

“He’s all right, but you’ll find that he’s very down and disappointed today because me and Andy Liddell beat him and Berra at head tennis, so he’s probably not able to play for a couple of weeks due to stress. I told him to keep his chins up!” the Town boss joked.

“But other than that he’s all right, we’re looking at March, there’s a U23s game on March 6th, the Monday, that’s being targeting.

“It’s his shoulder, so as long he’s not landing on his arm and nobody’s challenging him and it’s non-competitive physically, no one's barging one other, he’s OK. Unless you stick your head over the net!”

Steven Taylor (hamstring), Adam Webster (ankle), Dominic Samuel (broken toe) and Giles Coke (knee) all remain sidelined.


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whosroundisitanyway added 14:39 - Feb 16
Played best part of the game with a broken rib?
He has my full respect.
26

pegasus added 14:41 - Feb 16
Berra playing head tennis? After concussion on Saturday?
2

peewee added 15:00 - Feb 16
Chambers playing in his natural position and has good games and even scores who'd of guessed!! Nice to hear town playing better football on Tuesday night
6

martin587 added 15:04 - Feb 16
Whatever the Team on Saturday,just do your best lads.!!
9

legoman added 15:04 - Feb 16
Players back from injury means business as usual. No one will be missed imo. Great squad now when all or most of them fit :)
3

horsehollerer added 15:19 - Feb 16
So Chambo played for 80-plus minutes with a cracked rib. Why haven't we offered our captain a new deal yet?
22

MattinLondon added 15:23 - Feb 16
The only downer being that Skuse is now back in contention - I don't wish injury upon any player but he really is the most overrated midfield player we have had in a long long time.
15

ITFCGloryDays added 15:25 - Feb 16
MM on Cole Skuse;

“He's fine, I've just watched him training and he's given me the thumbs up,” the Blues boss added. “I'm pleased with that.”

What a relief...
0

muhrensleftfoot added 15:28 - Feb 16
yes Mick, Chambers has been outstanding since returning to centre back. Play him out of position at right back for 2 years and he's very average at best. Strange that, isn't it? Freddie Sears, a great signing in the January transfer window 2 years ago and scoring for fun alongside Murphy. Let's play him out of position for the best part of a season and a half, and now he can't score to save his life, and confidence shot to pieces. However I'm just a fan who's been going to Portman Road for over 40 years, so I know nothing. Please Mick learn from your mistakes, don't be a stubborn old git, and who knows, we may continue the recent good form.
20

Lightningboy added 15:30 - Feb 16
Oh joy..Skuse is fit.
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:47 - Feb 16
Skuse for Dia then.

Yes Tommy!
2

whosroundisitanyway added 16:05 - Feb 16
Think Freddie could do a job in Tom's position playing central.
Just needs that confidence to pull the trigger on sight of goal.
He used to be a natural so the ability is there.
11

muccletonjoe added 16:32 - Feb 16
Legoman. Think we might miss lawrence very slightly.
3

walberblue added 16:35 - Feb 16
Why don't we release Douglas, Taylor, Coke and Williams? They're not going to be here next year, Lets get the younger players full involved. What are we playing for now? To get ready for next season or to save MM's reputation and CV?
2

cat added 16:53 - Feb 16
What a difference 2 weeks makes, if I had read this report then I would have been delighted, not now though. Captain Calamity as I revered to him then has now become Captain Courageous!! Feel a bit sorry for him (with hindsight) being on the end of a lot of negativity due to being hung out to dry at RB. Proper CH in my book now, probably our best one, certainly on recent form.
6

jas0999 added 17:15 - Feb 16
Good news to have some defensive players back, however being a home game and considering result performances, Skuse shouldn't be a guaranteed starter.
7

Bluetone added 17:21 - Feb 16
@Cat Chambers has been a victim of McCarthy's stubborness if McCarthy wasn't always so determined to prove himself right we might have been further up the league.
5

cat added 17:42 - Feb 16
Bluetone - agree 100%, unfortunately he is one of many players to fall foul of MM's daft and stubborn selection policies
2

ChrisFelix added 17:53 - Feb 16
The worst senerio is that we have to endure our Different class midfielder
4

blueboy1981 added 18:03 - Feb 16
Will be surprised if Chambo isn't there.
2

gloucester_tractor added 18:31 - Feb 16
We will need one lump at the back Saturday to counter woods , so if chambers is missing I can see Berra back at least
0

therein61 added 18:32 - Feb 16
Respect to Chambers he has been a different player since being back in his natural position, credit to him for putting his body on the line for his goal Tuesday! I along with others pilloried his performances at right back which cost us many points this season( not his fault he still gave his all but hopelessly out of his depth and hung out to dry wasn't he Mick!!!!!) so now we have a problem Saturday(hope Chambers is fit) would love to see Tommy back(is it too soon?) but it looks like the sunday league Skuse will be back and whoever is in the back four will be having nightmares as he always plays them into trouble why this man is ever considered to wear a Town shirt is beyond me, but I'm not one of Micks favourites.
2

howdonblue added 19:24 - Feb 16
GREAT NEWS

Skusy is back "top player "
Bring back dougy and cokey for good measure!
Chambo at right back

McCarthy will never learn

Exciting times ahead for us !

#therunwillcometoanendforcertain
1

Bobby_Petta added 20:21 - Feb 16
Its been no coincidence that we have got points and played well in the last 3 games without Skuse. I don't like running players down but he should now not be automatic starter, I would say a lot of our problems have come central midfield this season. Been a good severt to the club but needs to move on in the summer. Mick has been forced to play a more creative and attacking Midfield which has paid off, interesting who replaces Lawerence if it is Skuse then Mick hasn't changed, Should be Bishop.
1

Geddis78 added 21:44 - Feb 16
Howdon Blue, thank you for a completely pointless post.
0


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