Town boss Mick McCarthy has no other new injury problems aside from Jonny Williams, who will be out for 12 weeks having undergone shoulder surgery yesterday, although Tom Lawrence took a knock in training this morning but should be fine for the Boxing Day home game against Fulham.
McCarthy revealed that on-loan Crystal Palace man Williams had suffered his latest injury setback when he landed on the track around the pitch at Wigan on Saturday when challenged by Latics defender Andy Kellett, who was booked as a result.
"Really sad for him, I spoke to him yesterday and I texted him as well, just wishing him well. He had his operation yesterday,’ McCarthy said.
"He’s had to have his shoulder repaired and he’s got a 12-week rehab and recovery.”
The Town boss says he has no other new problems going into the busy Christmas run of fixtures.
"They’re all OK,” he said. "Tom Lawrence got a knock this morning and he assures me he’s fine and I hope that’s the case. Other than that, everyone’s all right.”
Regarding long-term absentees Luke Hyam and Tommy Smith, he added: "I’ve got no dates for those at all. Luke Hyam was a case that they kept giving him a date, it was going to be six weeks, it was going to be eight weeks, it was going to be 10 weeks, and I think we had to step away from that and say he’ll be ready when he is.
"But he’s got a smile on his face more in the training ground, he can see the improvement now having had to have it operated on in the end.
"Tommy continues to improve with his rehab, so whatever dates we gave Tommy I think he’ll be back on those dates.”
Speaking last weekend Smith said he was hoping to be back out on the training field before the end of the month but would need a mini-pre-season before returning to match action having been sidelined since September when he underwent back surgery.
Giles Coke is continuing his rehab after knee surgery, while Paul Digby is out until the new year, also due to a knee injury.
Teddy Bishop is also unavailable for around another couple of weeks with an ankle injury.
McCarthy admits it will be a tough task picking a team for the Fulham match with his starting XI having dominated the first half an hour during the 3-2 win at Wigan, then all three of his subs - David McGoldrick, Grant Ward and Kevin Bru - having made a significant contribution as the Blues came from behind to clinch the victory in the final 20 minutes or so.
"It’s not going to be, maybe I’ll leave 14 on, put the three subs on as well,” the Blues boss joked.
Meanwhile, reports that Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom, 21, is close to joining the Blues on loan appear to have originated from a hoax posted on Twitter.