x

McCarthy Confident Strikers Will Be Ready for Season's Start - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy is confident Republic of Ireland international strike duo David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy will be fit for the start of the season. The Blues face McCarthy's hometown club Barnsley at Portman Road in their first game of 2016/17 on Saturday 6th August.

McGoldrick suffered a hip flexor problem during the training camp in Ireland and missed the friendlies with Shelbourne and Barnet, while Murphy joined up with the rest of the squad last Tuesday having been given additional time off having been at Euro 2016.

"Murph has had two weeks off and he needs that to recover after the European Championships because he’s just gone all year round,” McCarthy told the club website.

"I’ll try to give him a break at some stage but on any international breaks, he’ll be involved so we’ll be managing him and gently getting him back in.

"The reason he only had two weeks was so that he would be fit for the start of the season and he wouldn’t decondition too much.

"Didz has got a bit of scar tissue in his upper thigh and we’re just having to manage that because we want him fit and we’re trying to nurse him back to make sure he’s fit for the start.”

Speaking previously McCarthy said he expected Murphy to get back in match action in the friendly at Cambridge United on Saturday along with new signing Adam Webster.

The Blues' next pre-season friendly is at Colchester United on Wednesday evening (KO 7.45pm).

What to read next:

Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.