Star striker David McGoldrick is ready to return to Town’s starting line-up, believes manager Mick McCarthy. The 26-year-old made a goalscoring return to competitive action in last weekend’s 2-1 home victory over Fulham, coming on as a sub just before half-time and netting just after the hour mark.
Having played in that game and made two previous friendly appearances as a sub following a six-month absence with knee problems, McCarthy feels last season’s 16-goal top scorer is now ready to start.
"I would say so,” he said. "Then the question would be, would he finish? I don’t know but we saw how strong he looked during the 45 or 50 minutes he played on Saturday, so we know that.
"But it’s a different 50 minutes starting from the kick-off, from three o’clock. It is different, there’s no question, but he can play.”
McGoldrick, who now that he’s fit hopes to win a call into the Republic of Ireland squad, seems likely to start up front alongside Daryl Murphy with one of Balint Bajner, Frank Nouble or Jack Marriott replacing him at some stage during the second half.