Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Dean Gerken will start in goal when the Blues take on Premier League Southampton in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at St Mary’s.

Gerken hasn’t played since losing his place to former Saint Bartosz Bialkowski having suffered a groin injury in November.

McCarthy says he’ll be making a few changes to his regular starting XI: “I will but we’ve got a squad of 20 first-team players so I’m not bringing kids in or lads who have never had a game, but there will be a few.

“Gerks will play, that’s for certain. Bart’s been outstanding but I need Gerks ready to go. Bart could get injured in training and I’d need him to play against Derby, so I’ve got to keep him in tip-top condition, so that’s one change I’ll make, but that’s hardly weakening anything, is it?”

He confirmed that loan striker Conor Sammon is available with the Irishman one of several fringe players who have found it hard to break into the team in recent weeks.

“It’s difficult for a number of players to get in the team at the moment but certainly for Conor," McCarthy added. "The two lads we’ve got playing up front have been outstanding."

The Town boss says he has a fully fit squad for the trip to Hampshire: “Everybody’s fine, a full bill of health this morning, it was great.”

McCarthy also confirmed that Darren Ambrose is available with his short-term contract up on January 10th. The Blues boss has previously said that he wants to keep the 30-year-old, who has said he would like to stay at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

essexboy added 14:23 - Jan 2 Sounds good to me,as long as we put up a good show for the travelling supporters. 😃😃😃👍👍
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Jimmy86 added 14:24 - Jan 2 Now's the time when u'll see just how much a better keeper Bart is compared to Gerken. Gerken has played well for town, but since Bart had come into the side he has proved that he is the better keeper and he should be the stand out number 1 at the club now. Hope to see henshall and Stewart get a run out too
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:38 - Jan 2 really couldnt care about this, I know a cup run can do wonders for confidence and of course I want to see us win but I certainy wont be too deflated if we dont, a decent showing and going out to a cruel deflection so we can focus on the league would be quite acceptable
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miltonsnephew added 14:38 - Jan 2 Would like to see Kelvin Davis in goal the other end of the field. :)
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brian_a_mul added 14:39 - Jan 2 Could be 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 with: Gerks Mings Clarke Chambers Parr Ambrose, Bru, Skuse, S Hunt , Sammon, Stewart
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chopsitfc added 14:57 - Jan 2 I do not want to see sammon on that pitch sunday, we have far better players (our own players) who should be ahead and he does not have any skill or hold up play to warrant playing. He has been awful all season! Can't believe we even signed him on loan!!
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wkj added 14:59 - Jan 2 It sounds like Mick is focussed on the league... for this I am Greatful. I love the FA cup- but sadly now a days getting promoted is far to financially vital for a squad our size to take on with mind to achieve a good run in the last 22 games.
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wkj added 14:59 - Jan 2 It sounds like Mick is focussed on the league... for this I am Greatful. I love the FA cup- but sadly now a days getting promoted is far to financially vital for a squad our size to take on with mind to achieve a good run in the last 22 games.
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oscarwhiting added 15:03 - Jan 2 gerks chambers smith mings clarke stewart hyam bishop henshal dids murphy
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philwhelansdegree added 15:09 - Jan 2 Gerkan parr clarke smith mings ambrose bru hyam hunt bajner sammon
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Pessimistic added 15:29 - Jan 2 Providing we don't get hammered which would dent our confidence I could handle a defeat. In fact I could cope easily with any result tomorrow!
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rickw added 15:42 - Jan 2 Back to 433 and try to stop them playing! Gerken Parr Chambers Clarke Mings Ambrose Hyam Bru Hunt Bajner Sammon Would be good to see players like Stewart and Henshall get a few minutes too
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ian_marshall added 15:45 - Jan 2 Darren bent returning to portman road on the 10th of jan!
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dalianwasexciting added 15:47 - Jan 2 Have to agree about the changes, if we lose then we do not want it to affect the psyche of the regular starters. That said the chance to take a scalp keeps the momentum going so Mick has a dilemma....I wonder if up front the likes of Sam Ford or Darren McQueen may get a look in from the bench.
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Ipswich121 added 15:49 - Jan 2 Gerks Parr Chambers Clarke Mings Ambrose Hyam Bru Stewart Bajner Henshall
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:50 - Jan 2 Thanks Ian, shame he will be in white!
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carsey added 16:01 - Jan 2 Can't see Bishop starting this one he needs a break and he is far too important to the league campaign to risk as are Murphy and McGoldrick. Gutted that Bent has signed for Derby today, had thought he might return to Portman Road for the remainder of the season. He has scored for every club he has played for on his debut so here's hoping it won't happen against us.
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PutneyBlue added 16:12 - Jan 2 Quite right blueandtruesince82, a good showing is important, but beating Southampton is far less important than beating Derby at this stage.
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muccletonjoe added 16:16 - Jan 2 Really can't see 7 or 8 changes being made for this game. Gerken, mings, Skuse and Murphy would be my guess
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dubblue added 16:27 - Jan 2 With a squad of 20 there is scope for perhaps 5 or 6 changes. Gerken for Bart is obvious, we need to rest some of our younger players such as Bishop. An opportunity for players like Hyam, Bajner and perhaps Stewart to start. Agree the important thing is to leave St. Mary's with a respectable score and focus on promotion.
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clive_baker added 16:31 - Jan 2 Pessimistic, the game is Sunday, not tomorrow. I can see the following line up: Gerken Parr Chambers Smith Mings Skuse Hyam Bru Sammon McGoldrick Hunt
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RomseyPete added 16:40 - Jan 2 I live and work in Southampton and will be with a number of friends I go with on Sunday, having watched both teams a few times this year I sugest MM plays his first choice back four as Koeman has stated he will play his strongest team on Sunday. Our main hope is to hussle them out of their stride. Weird game for me as my son will be wearing his Saints shirt while I will be wearing my Ip swich one (under my coat).

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tractorfact added 16:42 - Jan 2 yeah I agree im really not that bothered weve got bigger fish to fry that being said we did play our first choice team, I could well see us getting something nah sorry its gotta be the league hope the chaps that do come in put on a good show good luck lads, go for it, why not
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ArnieM added 17:25 - Jan 2 I wonder if darren bent might upset the squad feel at derby? I heard he was a bit of a loose cannon at Villa. There is always that risk i think, which is why MM is very cautious about who he brings in. Very wise is our Mick!
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LegendofthePhoenix added 17:54 - Jan 2 Have to say I agree with chops, Sammon just not up to standard and would prefer to see a young 'un up front. Why didn't we get Darren Bent on loan?
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