Town boss Roy Keane says he expects key defender Gareth McAuley to be fit enough to face Chelsea in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie despite limping off at half-time during the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest yesterday. McAuley was playing his second match after returning to action after undergoing achilles surgery.

Keane said: “It was a hamstring with Gareth, which was always the risk. We spoke about it on Saturday and I said that two games in three days was too much for him.

“He was in on Sunday and we left it until the day of the game. Gareth’s a good lad, considering he’s taken another chance, another risk for the club, given that the boy’s contract is up in a few months. I take my hat off to Gareth.

“But I don’t think it’s too serious. It’ll be a case of two or three days’ rest. Having said that, I thought Troy Brown was outstanding .”

The Blues boss felt the performances of Brown and Connor Wickham against Forest showed that there are talented young players making progress at Portman Road: “I thought Troy did well, I thought Connor did well.

“There are some good players coming through at the club, so it’s not all about the quick fix of getting players from outside the club.”

Photo: Action Images

bluesym added 15:02 - Jan 4 “There are some good players coming through at the club, so it's not all about the quick fix of getting players from outside the club.” I'm sorry Roy,but the position we are finding ourselves in means a quick fix is exactly what is required!
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bontcho added 15:31 - Jan 4 One week “There are some good players coming through at the club, so it's not all about the quick fix of getting players from outside the club.” Another week We need some experienced heads in this division, you can't rely on kids.
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Downtownblue added 15:33 - Jan 4 so by the time they have "come through", they will be ready to ply all this knowledge in League 1. Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Need to spend big bucks to get out of this big hole. Were a small club with big ambitions like a lot in this division, just depends how much the owners want to get out of it.
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jas0999 added 17:30 - Jan 4 Some good news then.
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JetaimePeters added 17:32 - Jan 4 I agree, really been impressed with Troy Brown every time I've seen him play!
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Back_The_Boss added 18:45 - Jan 4 Good news, our defence is significantly better when he is playing. COYB!
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Mark added 18:50 - Jan 4 The defence has done well over recent matches, we haven't let many in lately*. The problems are all at the other end. * That may change in the next two games! Wickham is a bit worrying. Is he being coached properly? Are we developing him in the right way? Are we building his confidence? Is the team supplying him decent balls into the box? The answer would seem to be no to most of those.

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itfc1981 added 19:51 - Jan 4 For god sake save him for Arsenal!
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muhrensleftfoot added 06:39 - Jan 5 Yes good young players coming through thanks to Brian Klug & his team. Sorry, Brian who.... oh yes I remember, he must've disagreed with RK over something
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TimmyH added 11:55 - Jan 5 yep save him for the Arsenal game, no chance at Chelsea - but he is one of the more consistent players at town now days!
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