Midfielder Cole Skuse is a doubt ahead of Saturday’s visit to Reading but all the other players who were ruled out of the Capital One Cup defeat at Crawley on Tuesday will be fit to face the Royals. The Blues were without 10 senior players at the Broadfield Stadium, largely due to minor niggles sustained in last weekend’s opening day victory over Fulham.
"The lads that didn’t play will be back,” manager Mick McCarthy confirmed. "Tommy Smith was injured, he’s trained today, Murph has trained today, David McGoldrick has trained today, Paul Anderson and Jonny Parr as well, but none of them could have played on Tuesday.
"Tyrone Mings was absolutely goosed, as was Luke Hyam with cramp. And I left Tabby out because I don’t have too many left-sided players at the minute from having loads. Alex Henshall did really well but I want Tabby fit and raring to go at his former club.”
Midfielder Skuse was subbed during the second half of the 2-1 win against the Cottagers and McCarthy says the ex-Bristol City man is the only concern: "All the lads bar Skusey have done something today. He’s the only one who is still a doubt but I’m hoping he’ll train tomorrow.
"It’s nice to have Jonny Parr fit for the first time and to have a fit squad with them all raring to go and having options because we play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, it’s a big week for us.”
As for the likes of Elliott Hewitt, Christophe Berra and skipper Luke Chambers, who played the full game against Fulham then 120 minutes at Crawley, the Blues boss says they’ll be fine: "Elliott’s as fit as a flea, he’s only a young lad and the other two lads, Christophe and Chambo, are top pros.
"They’ve not done anything today, we’ll have a small-sided game tomorrow, but they’ll do very little and they’ll be raring to go.”
While Cameron Stewart is expected to be sidelined with his broken jaw for around another five weeks, winger Stephen Hunt is making progress after missing most of pre-season with a calf problem.
"Stephen Hunt is training but not with the first yet,” McCarthy added. "He’s back out there and he’s on his way back, thankfully.”