Boss Mick McCarthy says that aside from left-back Tyrone Mings he has a full squad to pick from ahead of Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City. Mings is out until mid-September due to the medial knee ligament injury he sustained at Reading on the opening day.

“McCarthy says the rest of his squad are fine to make the trip to St Andrew’s, scene of his first game as Town manager last November: “Everybody’s fine, they’re all fit.”

After Saturday’s home defeat to Leeds McCarthy hinted that he would make changes to his side at Birmingham but aside from confirming that Luke Hyam would start he was giving nothing away about his team selection: “I wouldn’t give you any insight because if I decide to make changes, why would I give everybody the heads up at Birmingham so they could prepare for it? I’m not going to be telling you that.”

The Blues boss did rule out a switch of formation, however: “I think we’ve played well. We’re not at that stage where we’re playing lousy at 4-4-2, we’re playing well 4-4-2 and not making the most of it.”

Photo: Action Images

clint_eastwood added 14:52 - Aug 29 "....confirming that Luke Hyam would start " ???? Come on, Mick! He was awful last week. I do like Luke but i think the kid needs a break for a little while.
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Blaine96 added 14:55 - Aug 29 Personally i would play Skuse in the middle with Wordsworth. Hyam does need a bit of a rest. Skuse has been absolutely solid in the middle and Wordy would provide an attacking threat. i would start McGoldrick along side Nouble personally. Other people probably disagree.
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pazelle added 15:00 - Aug 29 Glad for Hyam, if you watch the first goal last week you'll see that Hyam was closing down 2 players while Skuse was in no man's lands between Hyam and Hewitt - if Skuse was helping Hyam that shot would never have got through... Just hope Gerken starts as well!
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Garv added 15:02 - Aug 29 Hyam wasn't awful, but he's being asked to play a role that doesn't suit him. He and Skuse are the same player.
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essextractorboy93 added 15:15 - Aug 29 My team would be: Loach Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell Anderson, Skuse, Wordsworth, Tabb Nouble, McGoldrick Presuming Taylor isn't fit to start I would play Nouble as he is similar to Murphy in a lot of ways and deserves a chance as we haven't been finishing chances. Anderson will give us width. Perhaps play Wordsworth on the left and Tabb in the middle as I think Tabb's workrate would be good in the centre and Wordsworth has a good delivery.

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MCGOODERZ added 15:15 - Aug 29 Why wouldn't Hyam start? He's far from our weak link. I find this "we need more creativity so Hyam needs to be dropped" assault from fans very strange, because none of the other midfielders are creating anything and Hyam covers more ground than anyone else doing the simpe things like closing down players, getting himself in a good position defensively as I'm sure the stats would confirm.

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muhrensleftfoot added 15:45 - Aug 29 Why do people thing Hyam and Skuse are the same player? They're completely different - Hyam's a tackling terrier type player, whereas Skuse is rather more cultured with nice touch and great passer of the ball. I think the wide men are the problem & that's where I'd make the changes. Start with Wordsworth or Anderson or maybe Taylor could go wide. Murphy looked out of sorts against Leeds too, so reckon his place is in doubt, although for me, Nouble doesn't look that great, and to have Taylor & McGoldrick up front together means we lack height.

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Surco72 added 15:54 - Aug 29 MM will do his usual and try not to get beat away from home at all costs . I can see him playing 4-5-1 with Tabb in centre with Hyam and Skuse and Murphy out on left . Oh for some flair and pace , we have only won once away from home this year and scored only 4 goals
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Keaneish added 17:50 - Aug 29 Also not sure why some think swapping for Wordsworth for Hyam would answer creative concerns. Wordsworth hasn't played a competitive game for us in the centre of the park has he!? If Hyam is starting, it has to be Edwards making way no? Maybe Murphy moving to the left for Tabb?
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bedsitfc added 00:03 - Aug 30 loach Hewitt chambers smith Cresswell . hyam skuse Tabb Anderson. Murphy . mcgoldrick
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Philip added 00:11 - Aug 30 I don't know who else has seen this article but I felt it was a very sensible plea for town fans to keep perspective at this end of the season. Well worth a read, especially if the worriers turn out in force on Saturday. http://www.footballfancast.com/championship/no-need-to-panic-at-ipswich-despite- Would still love us to see sign a decent striker like Sharp though if we could ever afford his wages:

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bedsitfc added 00:13 - Aug 30 ^^^^ maybe hyam and skuse swapped around with hyam in a slightly more advanced position.
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