x

Gerken Back But Hyam Joins McGoldrick on Sidelines - Ipswich Town News

Keeper Dean Gerken is fit again after missing last week’s 0-0 draw with Blackpool due to a neck injury but midfielder Luke Hyam, who suffered a hamstring problem in the early stages against the Seasiders, joins striker David McGoldrick on the sidelines for Saturday’s visit to Leicester.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "Dean Gerken’s fine, Luke Hyam probably won’t be fit until the Middlesbrough game, which is strange as he’s the fittest bloke in the club, or one of them. Just one of those things, it happens.”

The Town boss says he’s yet to make a decision on which of his goalkeepers will start, Scott Loach having impressed in Gerken’s absence: "He did, I haven’t told them yet.”

The question of who will replace 16-goal top scorer McGoldrick, who has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a knee ligament injury, has been the big question of the week and it looks like Frank Nouble will get the nod to start alongside Daryl Murphy at the King Power Stadium.

McCarthy says Sylvan Ebanks-Blake isn’t fit enough for inclusion from the off: "He’s not ready to start. He came on for the 20 minutes last week and he almost got the overhead kick and that’s what he’ll do, he’ll put himself in a position where he’ll get goals.

"But to do 90 minutes, no, he’s not at that level yet. He had 60 minutes the other night in the U21s and got through the game and there’s another one on Monday night and even if he plays a part on Saturday he’ll probably still play in that.

Paul Taylor is McCarthy’s other option but he hints that the former Peterborough man also won start against the Foxes: "He’s in the squad for Saturday, he’s travelling and we’ve just lost the best striker, so there’s an opportunity there for everybody.

"He’s got to get in the team and when he gets in the team he’s got play well enough to stay in it.”

What to read next:

Al-Hamadi Red-Carded For Iraq
Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi was red-carded after 25 minutes of his return to the Iraq side in this evening’s World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Basra.
Emmanuel-Thomas Sentenced to Four Years in Jail
Ex-Blues forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was sentenced to four years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court this afternoon having pleaded guilty to his involvement in a plot to smuggle class B drugs into the UK last month.
Burgess's Australia All But Confirm World Cup Qualification
Cameron Burgess’s Australia all but confirmed qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 90th-minute Aziz Behich goal saw them to a 1-0 victory over Japan in Perth this afternoon.
Premier League Trio Linked With O'Shea
Blues central defender Dara O’Shea is reported to be interesting his former club Burnley, Wolves and Leeds United.
Head of Analysis Leaves Town
Town’s head of analysis Jamie Osman has left the club after a year to set up an analysis consultancy.
Burgess First of Three Town Players Set For International Action
Cameron Burgess, Axel Tuanzebe and Ali Al-Hamadi - as well as departed loanee Julio Enciso - could all add to their senior caps today with the Australian international the first to get into action at lunchtime.
Boatswain's Montserrat Win
Blues U21s striker Ash Boatswain played the full 90 minutes as Montserrat beat Belize 1-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier played in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago.
Pitts Wins Cap in Malta U21s Victory
Town youngster Josh Pitts won his first Malta U21s cap as his side beat San Marino 1-0 away in the first of two friendlies earlier this evening.
Delap's Chelsea Move Confirmed
Blues striker Liam Delap’s £30 million move to Chelsea has been confirmed, the frontman having signed a six-year deal.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season