Boss Mick McCarthy says he expects ill trio Cole Skuse, Jay Tabb and Teddy Bishop to be OK for Saturday’s Championship game at Millwall and won’t be delving into the loan market for cover. The three midfielders will miss Wednesday night’s FA Cup third round replay at home to Southampton due to a virus.
McCarthy says that despite having three players from the same area of his team unavailable he’s not considering bringing anyone in.
"They’re not long-term illnesses, they’ll all be all right, I’m hoping for Saturday’s game. Skusey certainly,” he said.
"You do what you think is right, we rested him at Southampton and he’s been ill ever since.
"It’s like when you leave them out and they get injured in training. It’s nuts.
"I think they’ll all be OK and I can’t do anything before this game so what’s the point in me breaking my neck to rush out and get somebody else who, if everybody’s fit, won’t play anyway?”
McCarthy is also amongst those to suffered from the bug which has been around the club for a few weeks now, the Town manager having been unwell shortly before Christmas. He says it took him a while to shake it off.
"I’m actually quite pleased because it knocked me out for about a week and I thought I was getting soft,” he joked.
"But I realise now I’m maybe not as soft as I was as it’s laid up some of the younger, fitter people. But I’m not too happy that they are laid up because they can’t play.”
Tyrone Mings has emerged as another to be less than 100% at present, the left-back tweeting last night: "Dinner, one (or 20) cups of Lemsip and watch [Frank Nouble and Jordan Turnbull for Coventry and Swindon] go head to head tonight.”
McCarthy says he’d be happy to stick with his current squad for the rest of the season with the emergency loan provision there if he needs it: "I don’t see why not. I can’t guarantee results, all I can is guarantee performances and maximum effort and professionalism and focus on all the games that they play.
"They’ve been terrific and I don’t see that being any different. If we get injuries because of the number of games they play we’ve still got the loan system up until March.”
He was pleased to see Alex Henshall make his debut as a sub for Blackpool on Saturday, having joined the Seasiders on loan on Friday.
"He needs to play,” the Town boss said. "He came on after about 60 minutes and the more football he gets the better for him and the better for us.”
McCarthy says he’s not looking to get anyone else out on loan, despite Cameron Stewart, like Henshall, having had limited opportunities since joining the club in the summer.
"Not really, to be fair to Cammy. He’s got his head down and he’s trying to get into the team and be involved. But we will have to wait until everybody’s fit [to let anyone go out on loan] because we’re a bit low on numbers.”