Town will again be without striker David McGoldrick when Bolton Wanderers visit Portman Road on Tuesday evening, the Ireland international having suffered what’s hoped to be a minor setback as he makes his return from a thigh injury. Keeper Dean Gerken was back at Playford Road today having been knocked unconscious at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
McCarthy had hoped that McGoldrick would be in the squad for the Trotters’ visit but that won't be the case: "He felt it on Friday. It’s just a little setback, we’re hoping it’s nothing but enough so he didn’t train today, so he’s not available.”
The Town boss admits that the 27-year-old has been missed, just as he was during his absence towards the end of 2013/14.
"It was the end of last season that he was out and we missed him then and maybe that cost us and he’s been out now,” he added.
”He has been a fabulous player for us. From walking through the door, he’s just been one of the top men.
"I don’t want to disrespect anybody else, but I think all the players know he’s one of the top men and he does help make us a better team.”
McCarthy says Gerken was back at the club today having been stretchered off in the early stages at Boro and taken to hospital where he underwent scans.
"He’s fine, he’s been in today,” he added. "He was in all night for observation having been knocked out and, of course, there was nobody at home to look after him because his wife was in the hospital having given birth on the Friday.
"She paid £40 to watch it on Sky and saw her husband carried off on a stretcher, which isn’t the ideal way to spend the first day with your newborn. They’re OK, he’s all right.”
He says the former Colchester man won’t be risked against Bolton: "I’m not quite sure what the rule is but we won’t take any risks with him. There’s no chance we’ll take a risk.”
Bartosz Bialkowski, who came off the bench at the Riverside, is set to start with Paddy Kenny, who was with Bolton for a short spell earlier in the season, likely to be on the bench.
Meanwhile, Darren Ambrose (hamstring), Luke Hyam and Noel Hunt (both knee) are still sidelined.