Boss Mick McCarthy says returning midfielder Luke Hyam will be involved at some stage during the next five games despite having been out of action for a month with a calf injury and then a bout of illness. The Blues take on Bristol City at home tomorrow prior to trips to Charlton and Wolves, then a New Year’s Day game against Brighton at Portman Road, before an FA Cup visit to Aston Villa.
McCarthy said: "He’s had four weeks out without a game of any sort and he did really well in the game he played. I’ve no doubt that he’ll get to be involved in the next five games which are coming thick and fast.
"He would have played the next game but for his injury, I would have had no cause to leave him out, a bit like Andy Drury when we played here against Millwall and he played ever so well. No cause to leave him out.”
He says he’s been pleased with his quartet of central midfielders: "I’m pleased with the four of them in midfield, I think they’ve done really well.
"Nigel Reo-Coker gives us that experience and he’s good around the place, he’s a good pro and he’s played well when he’s played.
"I think Luke was excellent when he played. Andy had a slow start, he hadn’t played for a long time, but I think the real standout one for me is Guirane N’Daw, who everybody told me can’t play in there in a 4-4-2 and he’s been outstanding
"I thought he was our best player last week, arguably, him and Cressy. I thought he played really well.”
McCarthy says he’s hoping strike pairing Daryl Murphy and DJ Campbell replicate their performance against Millwall when they scored three times between them: "In the games Daryl came off the bench he was excellent and him and DJ were just superb against Millwall, they were the standout performers.
"We need that level in our performance against Bristol City from the two lads up front.
"Michael Chopra’s still chomping at the bit and I thought he did well when he came on last week. I think every time he’s come on he’s contributed something.
"And of all the people to have that chance last week I would have fancied Chops, but it wasn’t to be.”
McCarthy has also been impressed with new left-back Tyrone Mings, who joined from non-league Chippenham Town last week: "He’s done really well, I’m pleased with him.
"You can see he’s had a and an education at a football club [Southampton’s academy], he’s not just come in and he’s raw. What I’ve seen of him I’ve liked.”