x

Skuse and Bialkowski Fine for Bolton as Trio Make Progress - Ipswich Town News

Cole Skuse and Bartosz Bialkowski are over ankle and calf injuries respectively ahead of Saturday’s visit to Bolton, while Adam Webster, Grant Ward and Tom Adeyemi are all making progress.

Bialkowski trained today and McCarthy expects his keeper to be OK to face the Trotters: "I don’t think there’s been any adverse reaction to it, so fingers crossed he’ll be fine.”

Skuse was substituted against Leeds having again felt the ankle injury which has been hampering him in recent weeks but similarly will make the trip to Lancashire.

"Skusey’s trained today, he’s fine, remarkably,” McCarthy added. "He’s very durable as we’ve seen throughout his career here, he’s played games.

"I thought he was going for an injection but he didn’t, he felt better and he told me, ‘I’ll be training Thursday’, and guess what, he was.”

Regarding the availability of Webster (achilles) and Ward (groin) for Saturday, he added: "Webbo, no, Grant Ward, no. But both of them are improving. Tommy Smith’s fit.”

He says Webster’s not too far off a return: "The best case he’d have been here for Bolton, so that’s gone pear-shaped already.

"Worst case, I don’t think that’s on the horizon, he’s improving. He’s had his injections and he’s feeling better. Sooner rather than later.”

Midfielder Tom Adeyemi is finally on the way back after a lengthy absence with a hamstring problem having subsequently suffered a calf strain.

"He’s been out training today, that’s progress, he’s been out on the grass with Lids [fitness coach Andy Liddell],” McCarthy said.

"He seems to be progressing well. The next step is an U23s game, next week I would hope.”

McCarthy said Smith, who is closing in on a move to the Colorado Rapids and a reunion with his former New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson, missed the last two games due to being unwell, but the Blues boss hasn’t ruled out the 27-year-old being involved at the Macron Stadium.

"We’ll see,” the Town manager said. "While he’s an Ipswich employee, he’s contracted to play.”

Also back in the fold is Tristan Nydam, who played for the U23s earlier in the week following his hip problem and felt no ill effects.

"Tristan’s been training, which is great but Tristan’s a young lad, he’s not going to come in and change things completely, but it’s still nice to have him training," McCarthy said. "Other than that it’ll be what we had last Saturday.”

What to read next:

Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).