Keeper Dean Gerken says he’s never known a season in which he has suffered so many niggly injuries. The 29-year-old, who signed a new contract in January, started the campaign as Town’s first-choice before picking up the first in a series of minor knocks and niggles.
"I have never had a season like this and it has been tough,” he admitted in an interview for Saturday’s match programme. "It’s been experiences that I have not had to deal with before.
"It’s one thing to get your head around another keeper getting picked to play in front of you but it’s a whole new ball game losing your place through injury.
"It first happened when we played at Blackpool when I pulled up in the warm-up with a groin injury. Then I got injured again when I was going to play against Southampton in a big FA Cup game which was live on TV.
"That happened a day before the game when I was taking part in a shooting session which I probably should have avoided and then having got my place back [against Brentford in March] I got knocked out inside four minutes against Middlesbrough.
"So it’s been hard. They have been niggly injuries really more than anything else, keeping me out for a few weeks but it’s been the timing of them that has killed me.
"The physio staff are great, they give you ‘head space’, which you need when you are injured.
"I’ve also got three kids now and that helps me deal with the frustrations because when I get home, I haven’t got time to feel frustrated. It’s busy and they take my mind of things.”
The former Bristol City and Colchester man was in U21s action earlier in the week, saving a first-half penalty in the 5-1 victory over Charlton at Portman Road.