Second-choice keeper Dean Gerken has emerged as a doubt ahead of Saturday’s visit to QPR after a training ground collision with Frank Nouble. Midfielder Cole Skuse has picked up a minor hip problem, but is expected to be fit, while Anthony Wordsworth is back after his calf injury.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: “Skusey came off the training field early today, his hip flexor was sore. He just felt it and they’re telling me he’ll be fine.

“Dean Gerken got clattered by Big Frank. I’ve been trying to get Frank to clatter people but not my own goalkeeper.”

The Town boss says the 28-year-old will be assessed before a decision is made on whether he’ll travel: “We’ll see tomorrow, he’d got a nasty dead leg, apparently.”

If the former Bristol City and Colchester United man is ruled out, academy second-year scholar Michael Crowe will be on the senior bench for the first time in a competitive fixture.

McCarthy confirmed that Wordsworth is now fit having played the full 90 minutes of the U21 friendly against the Republic of Ireland development squad on Tuesday: “He’s all right, he played the other day in a game here.

“He got through it, he was fine. He’s training fully now. He’ll be in the squad, he’ll travel with us.”

The Blues manager says left-back Aaron Cresswell suffered no ill effects in the 3-0 victory over Millwall having been out with a thigh injury: “No problems with him, I only took him off as a precaution in the last 10 minutes.

"It’s amazing what damage it can do. He got through the game, he’d done enough.”

McCarthy says right-back Elliott Hewitt is back from international duty with the Welsh U21s and expects him to be OK to play three games in a week for the first time since he joined the Blues in the summer of 2012: “He’s come in and he’s had his massage and his ice baths and his recovery work. He’ll be fine.”

Left-back Tyrone Mings remains on the sidelines with the knee injury he suffered at Reading, while young winger Jack Doherty picked up another ankle problem in the U21 game on Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

whosroundisitanyway added 15:38 - Aug 15 Steady on Frank! Save it for the oppostion.
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itfchorry added 16:48 - Aug 15 Could leave us in a bit of a pickle
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bluemikey100 added 17:36 - Aug 15 big frank u clattered your gerken
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shiminywho added 17:59 - Aug 15 Would like to see Cole Skuse with Anthony Wordsworth together in centre midfield - I'm a big fan of Luke Hyam but, having seen two of the three games so far, reckon he's been performing below par. Would also like to see Paul Taylor starting alongside David McGoldrick. Confident that the boys will get something from Shepherd's Bush on Saturday.
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Lennyboy added 20:14 - Aug 15 I just hope the rate of injuries starts to reduce a little.
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BlueMachines added 21:42 - Aug 15 Murphy's will start away from home I am sure
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Sindre94 added 23:04 - Aug 15 Crowe on the bench!!! Norwegian pride
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Tractorog added 00:29 - Aug 16 Blimey it must be a serious injury if a Crowe is circling!
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