TWTD understands that Town’s keeper woe has continued with Cody Cropper having picked up a knee injury in training and set to miss out on a place amongst the subs when Derby visit Portman Road on Saturday. First-choice David Stockdale was recalled from his loan by parent club Fulham yesterday, while Richard Wright is still injured, although not far from a return.
If Wright isn't considered fit enough for inclusion as a sub, second-year Academy scholar Conor O’Donnell, 17, looks set to take US U20 international Cropper’s place on the bench against the Rams.
Republic of Ireland U17 international O’Donnell, who joined the Blues from his local club Buncrana Hearts in the summer of 2010, recently kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 FA Youth Cup victory over Leeds United at Portman Road but like Cropper, 18, is yet to make a senior appearance.
Boss Paul Jewell has already confirmed that Arran Lee-Barrett will start on Saturday with Wright, who pulled a pec muscle the day before the recent defeat at Burnley, likely to be closer to full fitness for the game at Leicester City on Boxing Day.
The Blues are unlikely to seek - or be granted - Football League permission to sign another keeper on an emergency basis with Lee-Barrett fit.
Two years ago, after Wright was injured at Cardiff, Town were told they couldn't take a keeper on an emergency loan unless they had no fit professional glovesmen.