Striker David McGoldrick could make his long-awaited return to match action in one of next week’s two friendlies away against Southend and Leyton Orient. The Blues travel to Roots Hall on Tuesday and then Brisbane Road for their final pre-season game next Saturday.

McGoldrick, out since February with knee injuries, was back training with the squad for the first time towards the end of the week and all went well manager Mick McCarthy said.

“He did some work with TC on Wednesday before we played and on Thursday he joined in, and he joined in on Friday in my session, which was good.

“He’s looking fit, he did everything. Of course he’s a bit ring rusty because he’s coming back from a long-term injury, but in terms of his fitness and his knee, he’s fine.”

Will he be involved in either of the remaining friendlies? “He might do. I’d like to get him some minutes.

“If he’s OK, and I’ll be guided by him and the physios as I always am, and if he is OK he’ll get some time.”

Winger Stephen Hunt missed out again at Gillingham, due to his calf injury, but McCarthy isn’t too concerned about the problem: “No, it’s just a little niggle that he can’t get shot of. It was more than a niggle at the time, probably more serious than we thought, but he’ll be fine.

“He’s a fit lad, he’ll be all right when he comes back and I want him back because he’s a really infectious character.

“He’s missed a couple of weeks of pre-season, but he came with no pre-season last year and he ran around like a scalded cat for six months and he’ll do exactly the same. He’s all right Hunty, I’m not worried about him at all.”

Photo: Action Images

FramBlue1 added 18:00 - Jul 26 Yes, that's brilliant news!
2

stokeholyted added 18:01 - Jul 26 Just what we needed.
1

LiamCP123 added 18:14 - Jul 26 BRILLIANT NEWS!
1

essextractorboy93 added 18:14 - Jul 26 Hopefully he is fit enough to play some part against Fulham. He is our main goal threat but like last season i'm confident Murphy can step up and score the goals. Hopefully some from Taylor and Marriott too! COYB!
1

jas0999 added 18:51 - Jul 26 Brilliant news! Our only natural goal scorer! Others work hard mind. Hunt is looking like a waste of time. Suspect he will spend more time injured!
-3

TimmyH added 19:51 - Jul 26 Good news...work him in gently!
3

BLUEBEAT added 19:52 - Jul 26 ran around like a scalded cat
1

dubblue added 20:10 - Jul 26 Excellent news he is vital to our promotion hopes
2

Jaffe added 20:16 - Jul 26 won't be fit until September earliest
-6

Seasider added 20:36 - Jul 26 Still think McGoldrick could play a very effective role just behind front one or two as he has a good footballing brain.Looking good for the new season with no goals conceded which must help morale;but the real test of how good/bad we are will be against Fulham naturally.
3

bluemagic74 added 00:40 - Jul 27 McGoldrick nearly back has got 2 be best news since last season ended, with an inform McGoldrick think we have a chance of getting into the play-offs. COYB UP THE TOWN
2

MarkFish added 00:50 - Jul 27 Mcgoldrick is finished. Mcarthy knows it , he knows it, Harry from bath knows it.
-6

Jaffe added 09:54 - Jul 27 didz hasn't played football since February and hasn't had a pre season how on earth is he going to be playing in the team in august? are we going to get a loan now or start looking when we get to September and we are in the bottom six
-3

lowerblue added 11:08 - Jul 27 reading some comments I believe they must be canaries and not tractor boys. pre season games are very useful and help MM to decide on the team he will field at the start of the season. seems we do not have season tickets any more but season cards.
0

ArnieMsBigToe added 11:27 - Jul 27 lowerblue: I believe that you are spot on Its only sour grapes because they came back down!!
1

battyblue added 11:29 - Jul 27 We should be aiming for automatic promotion not a play of place which is second best we need to be focused on that from day one against Fulham to do what ever it takes to win the game with the best players we have available every game no favorites and old pals just the best available for each position and we may improve on last seasons showing .
0

essexboy added 11:36 - Jul 27 Mark fish,What a stupid comment.Get real mate and go back to Norfolk where you belong.!
2

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls