Striker David McGoldrick could make his long-awaited return to match action in one of next week’s two friendlies away against Southend and Leyton Orient. The Blues travel to Roots Hall on Tuesday and then Brisbane Road for their final pre-season game next Saturday.
McGoldrick, out since February with knee injuries, was back training with the squad for the first time towards the end of the week and all went well manager Mick McCarthy said.
"He did some work with TC on Wednesday before we played and on Thursday he joined in, and he joined in on Friday in my session, which was good.
"He’s looking fit, he did everything. Of course he’s a bit ring rusty because he’s coming back from a long-term injury, but in terms of his fitness and his knee, he’s fine.”
Will he be involved in either of the remaining friendlies? "He might do. I’d like to get him some minutes.
"If he’s OK, and I’ll be guided by him and the physios as I always am, and if he is OK he’ll get some time.”
Winger Stephen Hunt missed out again at Gillingham, due to his calf injury, but McCarthy isn’t too concerned about the problem: "No, it’s just a little niggle that he can’t get shot of. It was more than a niggle at the time, probably more serious than we thought, but he’ll be fine.
"He’s a fit lad, he’ll be all right when he comes back and I want him back because he’s a really infectious character.
"He’s missed a couple of weeks of pre-season, but he came with no pre-season last year and he ran around like a scalded cat for six months and he’ll do exactly the same. He’s all right Hunty, I’m not worried about him at all.”