Boss Roy Keane has revealed that the Blues have recalled defender Tommy Smith from his loan spell at Brentford as cover for the red-carded Damien Delaney. Town will decide whether to appeal Delaney’s dismissal this morning.

Keane said: “He trained with us last week and it was nice to have him back in the group and with the games coming up, I was tempted to bring him back anyway. With Damien’s sending off and a potential ban there I want him back in the group.

“He’ll be back for the season. He’s done reasonably well there, he’s had the experience of playing for New Zealand and it was touch and go whether I’d let Tommy go anyway when we brought Pim back in. Tommy will be back training with us this morning.”

Smith, who was due to remain with the Bees until April 7th, may be more likely to replace Delaney than Pim Balkestein if the Irishman’s suspension stands given that he has played regularly for Brentford in recent weeks.

The Blues boss says Town are yet to decide whether to appeal: “We’re undecided. We felt previously that Jon Stead was very unlucky to be sent off. We thought that a yellow card would have been bad enough and he ended up and he ended up getting the extra game, so we’ll have to be very careful.

“We felt it was harsh but if we appeal it and get an extra game, then we’ll be kicking ourselves. We’ll make a decision in the next hour or two.

If Town appeal today, Delaney, who faces a three-match ban having almost certainly been sent off for serious foul play, would be able to play at Watford.

Meanwhile, Town will make a decision on whether Daryl Murphy can play against Watford once the striker has been assessed today. The Irishman was replaced just after the break with double vision.

Photo: Action Images

Tractorog added 10:03 - Mar 15 I hope Murph is OK ... I can't see where regular goals will come from, without him
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corshamblue added 10:42 - Mar 15 A brilliant chance to cement his place in the World Finals if he comes in and does well! Good Luck Tommy.
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MightyPaz added 10:59 - Mar 15 I'd go with Tommy, but Pim's day will come - he's a bit too cavalier Bramble/Thetis for me at the moment, my heart can't take it.
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pitseablue added 11:28 - Mar 15 Wise move from Keano.
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WadzillaBhoy added 12:18 - Mar 15 Just looked on Brentford's messageboard looks like he had a good loan spell, all the messages regret him leaving so it looks like the games did him the world of good, he will probably play alongside Big Mac.
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Markie31 added 12:31 - Mar 15 Smith and McAuley in the middle please! Always thought it should have been Balkenstein that went out on loan.
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tractorgirl2 added 12:39 - Mar 15 i agree with above if any one has to replace delaney it should be tommy, he like he will be in the first team more next season
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Flip added 14:37 - Mar 15 no it shouldnt have been pim who went out cos tommy couldnt get in the side with delaney and mac at the back, so he went out and got some games so he would be match fit to play, ok feel abit sorry for pim but he hasnt played regular like tommy has at brentford and with 3 winable and MUST win games coming up we cant afford to take that chance good luck tommy
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bleedblue added 17:08 - Mar 15 Thetis - What a player!
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MightyPaz added 17:40 - Mar 15 Anyone remember Thetis' amazing "fight" with WBA's Sean Flynn? Like a viaduct being attacked by a chihuahua, Manuel just laughed (and took him out and got sent off)
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J45 added 17:52 - Mar 15 Cant see him making the team very much because pim will most likely replace delany (if appeal rejected) so he will be sitting on the bench most of the time. He is a good player though.
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Blueknight85 added 18:46 - Mar 15 i cant see Pim going in to be honest smith is "match fit" neither of them really stand out ahead of the other any other way but as Keane would say it will depend how they train
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Blueknight85 added 18:46 - Mar 15 i cant see Pim going in to be honest smith is "match fit" neither of them really stand out ahead of the other any other way but as Keane would say it will depend how they train
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Blueknight85 added 18:46 - Mar 15 i cant see Pim going in to be honest smith is "match fit" neither of them really stand out ahead of the other any other way but as Keane would say it will depend how they train
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Blueknight85 added 18:46 - Mar 15 i cant see Pim going in to be honest smith is "match fit" neither of them really stand out ahead of the other any other way but as Keane would say it will depend how they train
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ChambersM added 21:11 - Mar 15 oi oi we dont even know if delaney will be banned! He shouldnt be anyhow!
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