Blues boss Mick McCarthy is backing Jonathan Douglas to add goals to his midfield. Town are without a goal in their last three games and have netted only eight times in their first 10 league matches, four of them in their opening day win against Barnsley.
Douglas, who joined the Blues from Brentford for a free transfer in the summer of 2015, scored three times last season but McCarthy says the eight-times-capped Republic of Ireland international is capable of grabbing more and has been unlucky not to open his account already this season.
"Yes, he’s had that happy knack of doing it, if you look throughout his career. He contributed last year and he got eight for Brentford the season before.
"He’s been unlucky as well. The goal against Norwich, he was onside and it should have counted. He gets in the box, he’s playing very well, Dougie.”
He added: "He got one that was disallowed again [against Brighton] and he was in challenging for a couple of headers. Dougie’s been great. If he keeps getting in there he’ll get his goals.”
With Douglas approaching 35, his birthday is in November, does McCarthy believe players can stay fitter later into their careers these days? "He’s remarkable, I’ve been amazed. I thought he was excellent the other night all around the pitch, he just puts himself in positions defensively, he gets in the box consistently.
"I think a lot of that goes unnoticed and he’s an example to any young player watching, the levels of fitness and endurance that he has and just that durability, he’s great.”
McCarthy continued: "He does everything that the other lads do in training. He’ll get some time off during the international break, unless he’s called up for Ireland for a cameo appearance, of course! I don’t know, maybe they will.
"He is one of the most uncomplicated, low maintenance, does-what-it-says-on-the-jar players that you’re ever likely to come across.
"He comes in, you don’t hear him around the place, you don’t see him around, he just plays and trains, he’s an absolute pleasure to have working for you.
"You ask him to do something he just goes ahead and does it. If you had lots of them like him [it would be great]. Actually we have, we’ve got lots of players like him.
"He’s coming up to 35, I don’t know what he’s taking I’ll have to go and check his bag.”
Joking, McCarthy added: "Actually, we had the drugs testers here on Monday, so I shouldn’t say that, should I!”