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Hyam and Coke Only Injury Absentees for Barnsley Clash - Ipswich Town News

Midfielders Luke Hyam and Giles Coke are the only players unavailable for Saturday’s Championship opener at home to Barnsley.

Hyam suffered a knee problem in the friendly at Cambridge, while Coke underwent knee surgery at the end of last season.

"The squad’s in good shape we’ve only had Giles Coke and Luke Hyam, who got the knock at Cambridge but he’s improving rapidly,” manager Mick McCarthy said.

"Giles, of course, had an operation and we’re hoping he’ll be fit before the window shuts.”

McCarthy says keeper Dean Gerken (hamstring) and striker Brett Pitman (toe) are both OK.

"They’ve both trained today, they’ve been fine,” he added. "We’ve got a fit, healthy squad, which is great having just completed a five or six-week pre-season.

"It’s nice to be in a position, it’s sad for Luke Hyam and Giles Coke, of course, but we’ve got a good squad fit.”

Striker David McGoldrick missed the first few pre-season friendlies due to a hip flexor injury and may only be considered for the bench on Saturday, although McCarthy was typically keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his team.

New signing Grant Ward is also short on games having had an injury in pre-season and also may not be ready to start on Saturday.

McCarthy confirmed that centre-half Adam Webster is fit enough to start having missed the early part of pre-season while he recovered from an ankle injury he picked up at the end of last season while with Portsmouth.

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