Ipswich defender Damien Delaney believes the recall by Reading of on-loan goalkeeper Alex McCarthy could not have come at a worse time.
Instead of clocking up his 11th appearance for Town at home to Barnsley tomorrow the England U21 cap will be on the bench for the Royals at West Ham in the Championship’s most crucial game of the day.
Manager Paul Jewell has confirmed that Arran Lee-Barrett will be recalled and Delaney said: "I think it will have an effect on the team but hopefully not too much.
"Arran has been out of the team for a while and it will take him a couple of games to get up to speed. It’s disappointing losing Alex because he was really starting to look nice and comfortable in behind me.
"He’s a big lad and he was coming for a lot of crosses. It doesn’t half make a huge difference when you’re a defender and your keeper is not just punching at corners but holding on to the ball. It’s a God-send.
"But while it’s a shame to see Alex depart I’m sure Arran will do a good job. When he’s come in he’s done okay because it’s not easy coming in behind different defensive partnerships. With the rest of the team being fairly settled at the moment I think that will help him.”