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Lawrence a Doubt as McCarthy Plans Changes at Rotherham - Ipswich Town News

Top scorer Tom Lawrence is a doubt ahead of Saturday’s trip to already-relegated Rotherham United, while second-choice keeper Dean Gerken is available again for a fixture in which manager Mick McCarthy is considering fielding some of his fringe players.

"Tom Lawrence’s ankle is bothering him, he got a knock again on Monday, so we’ll have to wait and see on Tom,” McCarthy said.

Gerken has been ruled out of the last two matches due to a problem suffered in training but the Town boss says he is now fine: "It was his shoulder, but he’s OK, he’s trained today.”

McCarthy says he hasn’t yet decided on his weekend team but says he is likely to field a changed side.

"There’s every chance,” he said. "I haven’t made my mind up yet but it’s the one opportunity I’ve got to play some of them.

"I would like to think that if I did that the ones who play are busting a gut to be in that team and do something in terms of next season. I’ll see, I’ve got the rest of the day to think about.”

McCarthy says he’s unlikely to play a similar side in the following two games, at home to Sheffield Wednesday and at Nottingham Forest, with both matches likely to be meaningful fixtures for the opposition.

"If we’re going to Forest and they’re safe, which they might be [then that would be different], but there’s every chance they might need points, and certainly Sheffield Wednesday that’s going to be a game [with something riding on it].

"Whether they’re in the top six or not that will effect where they finish, of course. I’d have to protect the integrity of it.”

McCarthy says academy youngsters such as Pat Webber and Ben Morris aren’t so much in his thoughts for Saturday as those players who have been regularly in the first-team squad recently without getting games.

"Unlikely for those, I think the others are in front of them who have not played a lot,” he added.

"Teddy Bishop’s back and fit, Dozzer’s back and fit. Unfortunately Tristan Nydam, who has been doing really well, is injured.

"But there have been lads like Danny Rowe and Dominic Samuel, who have travelled around the country and been on the bench or not been on the bench. And if I’m going to do it it’ll be those guys who are going to get a game.”

McCarthy says Jonny Williams could "possibly” also come into his thoughts at the New York Stadium but he says 21-year-old keeper Michael Crowe won’t make his Blues debut but remains in his thoughts for the future.

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