Teddy Bishop and Luke Varney are doubts ahead of Saturday’s visit to Leeds, while Grant Ward is expected to be OK to make the trip to Elland Road despite missing training this week.
One-time Leeds frontman Varney was subbed in the first half of Monday’s U23s game, coincidentally also against Leeds, and manager Mick McCarthy says the 33-year-old is a concern: "He’s got a tight hamstring and we’ll wait and see, but he’s a doubt for Saturday.
"Bish has a broken nose and has had a mask made for him and he’s a doubt for Saturday.”
Bishop suffered his injury when he clashed heads with Ashley Westwood during the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday and McCarthy says Ward has also been feeling the effects of that game.
"Grant Ward got a knock in the back a couple of times, so he hasn’t trained with us,” he said. "But he’s trained today, he’s done some legwork, some running and he’ll be fine. He’ll train tomorrow, he’s the only other one to report.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy confirmed that midfielder Luke Hyam won’t require surgery on the damaged nerve in his knee he suffered in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge.
"Good news for Luke, he did some work before he went to see the specialist and he felt considerably better,” the Town boss added.
"He’s been to see the specialist, who did the nerve conduction test again and he’s improved significantly in that two weeks, so we fully expect him to improve and he doesn’t need an op, which is good news.”
Central defender Tommy Smith has had his back operation, which is expected to keep him out for 12 weeks, and McCarthy says it went well.
"His has gone great, but he’s not been in, he’s been encouraged to walk but he’s got to stay at home, he won’t be coming in for a while,” he said.
"He’s delighted with his surgery, the surgeon was as well. He’s got his feeling and power back in his foot already, so that’s good news. He’s fine.”
David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams remain sidelined with their ankle problems, while young midfielder Adam McDonnell is also undergoing treatment for a knock at present.