Caretaker-manager Ian McParland has revealed that Town’s already depleted squad could be without striker Jason Scotland and defender Troy Brown when Arsenal visit Portman Road for Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final.
The Blues are already without Grant Leadbitter (suspended), Jake Livermore (groin injury and cup-tied), Rory Fallon (cup-tied), Luke Hyam (hamstring), Brian Murphy (ankle), Shane O’Connor (shoulder) and Alan Quinn (groin) for the Gunners’ visit and McParland says the injury list is growing.
The former Notts County boss, who looks likely to leave the club when Paul Jewell takes the reins on Thursday, said: "Players-wise it gets worse. Jason Scotland pulled up with a sore calf this morning, we’re not sure how he’ll be, and Troy Brown is struggling with tight hamstrings.
"That’s another two down, so we’ll have a look at those two in the morning and see how they are.”
McParland says he won’t be taking any risks with Luke Hyam despite him closing in on fitness: "He’s not fit, he’s started training again. I thought about putting him on the bench or maybe starting him, but there’s a new manager coming in and I wouldn’t like to risk Luke coming off the bench because he’s not played a game.
"He’s been out for a long time, since the Barnsley game, and I wouldn’t like to put the lad in and him to pull his hamstring again and be out for two months with a new manager coming in. I think you have to be fair.”
McParland confirmed that winger Reggie Lambe and central midfielder Conor Hourihane, yet to play a first team game since joining the club from Sunderland in the summer, will come into the squad.