Town will be without Kane Vincent-Young, James Norwood and Kayden Jackson for Saturday’s season-opening Carabao Cup tie against Bristol Rovers at Portman Road.

Norwood made his first appearance of the summer as a half-time sub in last week’s 1-0 loss at Cambridge United having spent much of pre-season continuing his rehabilitation from the groin operation he underwent in January.

Lambert says the 29-year-old has suffered another minor problem and won’t be involved against the Gas.

“James has been injured, he’s just getting back to fitness at the minute,” he said. “He had a little strain on his hip the other day.

“I think this game will be too early for him. As I said before, there are two cup games before the league actually starts next Sunday.”

Asked whether Norwood, who is understood to be interesting Dundee United and Swindon will remain a Town player, Lambert added: “James in my opinion will be here.”

Reflecting further on players currently on the sidelines, he added: “We’ve still got one or two injuries. I can’t risk them at the minute.

“We’ve got two cup games before the league starts. I’ll take a bit of caution with guys who are carrying little knocks and if they’re not ready then I won’t take the risk.”

Also missing out on Saturday are right-back Kane Vincent-Young (achilles) - “No, not fit” - and striker Kayden Jackson (groin) - “Not fit”.

Winger Gwion Edwards, who has been suffering with a groin? problem could be involved: “I’ll see how he is this morning.”

Left-back Myles Kenlock, who has had a thigh issue, is in a similar position - “See how he is this morning” - and Janoi Donacien, who picked up a knock at Cambridge last week, is also improving: “He’s doing better, we’ll see how he is as well.”

Midfielder Cole Skuse was expected to be back in training earlier in the week after a minor knee problem.

Also missing are forward Armando Dobra and keeper Adam Pryzbek as they're away on international duty with the Albania and Wales U21s respectively.

Dobra might well have been in with a shout of involvement either on Saturday or against Arsenal's U21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

“He’s got the national games, it’s good for him to get a couple of games under his belt,” Lambert added regarding the 19-year-old.

Tristan Nydam is expected back in October, while Ben Morris is again sidelined long term having recently suffered another ACL injury.

Photo: Matchday Images

OsborneOneNil added 10:57 - Sep 4 Sigh.
4

Razor added 10:58 - Sep 4 Amazing-----you would not credit it you really wouldnt-------4 major players out for our first competitive game in months-----amazing and depressing.
10

Nobbysnuts added 11:02 - Sep 4 Town-0 rovers-2
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:09 - Sep 4 like ive said before , NOTHING HAS CHANGED, more tales of woe. a few weeks down the line Lambert will dig out his book of excuses.
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raycrawfordswig added 11:11 - Sep 4 Main aim this season not to get relegated sod the crap cups.
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runningout added 11:11 - Sep 4 you can't make it up. Do those Not 100% know how to look after themselves as professionals??
7

Bergholt_Blue added 11:11 - Sep 4 I'm sorry but how the hell are players injured they haven't played any games for months Something not right with our medical team
7

BlueandTruesince82 added 11:22 - Sep 4 Do we actually have players or are we just a phantom team now.... has Evans sold the lot and just puts out look a like a on £250 a week?
1

Kesblue66 added 11:29 - Sep 4 What going on?Think is modern training methods.Never had all all these injuries under Ramsey.Robson or even Burley.,and the game if anything harder then with plenty of "choppers"around.
9

runningout added 11:39 - Sep 4 Spot on Kesblue ... Mind you that was a Winning and Happy TEAM. Something very wrong with atmosphere at our once great club
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Suffolkboy added 11:52 - Sep 4 Many things don't seem to gel at ITFC ,and the fitness regime still falls under the microscope ; or are some players swinging the lead ? JN appears to have had an age to ‘recover ‘ , it seems needs to impress PL again ,AND quit the moaning , quit the strange off field behaviour and exhibit all round discipline and concentrated effort to be on the field of play and attempting to do the job he's paid for . KJ situation is a real mystery as he's been the subject of transfer speculation ( often ) , KVY might be getting there ( but are there underlying physical weaknesses ?) MK needs ‘ out ‘ as he really doesn't look the athletic specimen able to truly compete ,and GE ,regrettably , doesn't appear to command a suitable regular place in PL's systems but is used as a makeweight around the side .For him I feel sympathy for it's difficult to understand how PL wants or needs him ; how is he to gain confidence and belief and shine ? There's something amiss ,but exactly what is increasingly puzzling : PL contributes ! COYB

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tractorboybig added 11:55 - Sep 4 its best to not cup tie them?
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RobITFC added 12:06 - Sep 4 Players linked with other clubs not playing.. mmmm I wonder! and Downes refusing to play , what a great start to the season ?
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floridaboy added 12:07 - Sep 4 Norwood obviously needs to alter his golf swing if it is affecting his hip. Bet he will be on the first tee on Sunday morning!!!
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Northstandveteran added 12:10 - Sep 4 I blame Mick McCarthy's training sessions.
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inghamspur added 12:12 - Sep 4 I'll give my Mum a ring, see if she's available.
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Bert added 12:49 - Sep 4 Not the news any of us wanted to hear but not surprising. Ask any athlete and they will tell you that being away from active sport for 5 months takes its toll. Groin and achilles in particular. On this occasion it is what it is.
1

Skip73 added 13:02 - Sep 4 Only at ITFC could FOUR players be injured after 6 months off. What a joke!
0

Orraman added 13:07 - Sep 4 Totally agree @ Kesblue. Never heard of all these niggles in seasons long past. More recently McGoldrick out for long spells time after time yet goes to Sheffield and hardly misses a game in 2 years. Remember Kieron Dyer playing on with a broken leg and scoring!!! What we have now are SNOWFLAKES ❄️❄️❄️❄️
2

Icantbelieveyousaidt added 13:18 - Sep 4 Just came home for a spot of lunch and whow, how depressing are you lot. I am sure you must get alerts that inform you of a new posting and then off you rant. Even Sir Alf is mentioned in one rant. May I suggest you either go to work, go for a walk, do some voluntary work, smell the roses, go to the pub, whatever; but do get a life! All clubs have injuries, we no more than anyone else; you lot just make it up as you go along. Oh and some of you have learnt a new word....snowflake; I despair at times. Nil desperandum.

1

marco007 added 13:36 - Sep 4 Jeez ...the season has not even started and we have more injuries than the A&E in Casualty!
1

Cheshire_Blue added 13:42 - Sep 4 Good to see the 'SUPPORTERS' out in force. Town 0 Rovers 2. What a positive comment. Either support the team or disappear.
1

MonkeyAlan added 13:59 - Sep 4 Useless bunch of fairies.
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kuyski added 14:10 - Sep 4 If we can't solve the injuries problem soon,the rank for this season must be the same of last season and may be even worst!! *Why McGoldrick can play for Sheffield UTD for whole season?？？
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multiplescoregasms added 14:12 - Sep 4 There is without doubt something very wrong with our medical set up. This has been a constant ballache since the McCarthy days. Players picking up injuries on a constant basis, ,players never 100% and ready to go, and players taking far too long to get over injuries that as professional athletes in the prime of life they really should. Recent talk of Norwood leaving, and Jackson looking for a better contract, and then they are not around for the first game. Coincidence or just the Ipswich way?

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