Midfielder Teddy Bishop has been ruled out for the season after rupturing his hamstring in Boxing Day’s 0-0 home draw with QPR.
The 21-year-old, who was making his first start of the season and only his second of 2017, was forced off after 40 minutes of Tuesday’s match and, following scans, has been told he requires surgery.
"Bish needs surgery which is devastating for all of us,” manager Mick McCarthy told the club site.
"He’s a great lad and the lads all love him but, of course, the one that is suffering the most at the moment is Bish himself. "
"It will be another challenge for him, both physically and mentally but he will get great support from everyone at the club and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Bishop, who has made only 28 senior appearances since the end of his breakthrough 2014/15 campaign due to a succession of injury problems, had only just returned from a hernia operation he underwent in August.
The Cambridge-born youngster's contract is up at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option to keep him for a further year.
Tough news to take knowing I’m out for the season and need an operation but look forward to seeing the boys push for a play off place. Bring on 2018 💪ðŸ¼âš½ï¸ðŸ’™ #itfc pic.twitter.com/zI4qwWTSYP
— Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) December 28, 2017
Town already have two other central midfielders, Emyr Huws and Andre Dozzell (both knee), ruled out for the season, while four other midfield players are also currently sidelined, Tom Adeyemi (hamstring), Flynn Downes (calf), Tristan Nydam (hip) and Luke Hyam (knee). Kevin Bru missed the Boxing Day game as he was at a funeral.