Left-back Aaron Cresswell and midfielders Luke Hyam and Anthony Wordsworth are doubts ahead of Saturday’s season opener at Reading. Cresswell’s probable deputy Tyrone Mings is also not 100 per cent as the Blues prepare for the trip to the Madejski Stadium.

Cresswell has been suffering with a thigh problem throughout pre-season and was forced off early in last week’s 3-3 draw at Notts County.

Manager Mick McCarthy says the former Tranmere man will be assessed on Friday: “He is a concern, he’s a doubt.

“We’ll have a look tomorrow, but he is doubtful, there is no question about that because he started on Saturday at Notts County and he looked great for 10 minutes and then just pulled up.

“If he has to miss a game and be ready for the next 45 then that’ll be fine. The real issue with Cressy is because he’s started to feel something.

"He played every minute of every game last year and I guess there’s a sense of personal pride there, wanting to start. We’ll see, if he’s fit he’ll play, but he’s doubtful.”

The Blues boss says he would have no concerns about giving Tyrone Mings, who made his debut on the final day of last season at Burnley, another start: “I’ve no worries about that.

“My only worry about him is that he came in with tonsillitis and mouth ulcers today, although he feels OK in himself, he’s not feeling run down or tired or out of kilter too much.

“That’s still a concern, but I’m sure he’ll be fit and I’ve got no worries about Ty at all, I thought he was terrific against Burnley.”

Anthony Wordsworth was subbed within a minute or so of coming on at Notts County due to a calf strain and the ex-Colchester man will also be looked at on Friday, as will another central midfielder: “Woody’s a doubt, Luke Hyam had a problem with his groin and he didn’t train today. We’ll have to wait and see until tomorrow to wait for him.

“Frank Nouble hadn’t trained but trained today, so at least we’ve got one back. So, there are a few that we’re worried about but if they’re not fit, we’ll play somebody else. That’s all we can do.”

Photo: Action Images

h32 added 22:13 - Aug 1 ....... a fine start to a New Season !
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runningout added 23:08 - Aug 1 come on you 3 wet lettuces... wimping out already
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Garv added 23:09 - Aug 1 Hyam doubtful, Wordsworth doubtful, Skuse injured only last week... Bit worrying. Is Tunnicliffe ready/fit enough to step right in? If not I guess Tabb will have to go into the middle with Edwards coming into the team. Loach Hewitt Chambers Smith Mings Edwards Skuse Tabb Anderson McGoldrick Murphy Bench: Gerken Vesseli Berra Carson? Tunnicliffe Taylor Nouble ?
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theobald1985 added 23:34 - Aug 1 florida boy why would you definately not play october he is a good young left back from our academy which is supposed to be the future if he is good enough for a pro deal and to be with the first team squad then he is good enough to play
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whiskey added 02:38 - Aug 2 acid test for mings, if he's gonna make it. aceeeeeed.
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Bergholtblue added 11:40 - Aug 2 Its disappointing but that is all. We have good cover at every position and people who could do a job in more than one position. Well done Mick for getting things sorted early, that why this is just disappointing and not a disaster!
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