Town are set to be without ill midfield trio Cole Skuse, Jay Tabb and Teddy Bishop for Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay against Southampton at Portman Road (KO 7.55pm).

Skuse missed Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Derby due to the virus, while Tabb was subbed in the second half along with Bishop.

Manager Mick McCarthy says they were all sent home from training earlier today: “Skusey came in this morning and he was sent home again. Tabby had to come off because of the effects of it, we sent him home as well this morning.

“And Teddy Bishop as well, so there’s a virus going around the place that’s laying one or two of them low. It’s very unlikely that they’ll be involved but I think the other 14 are OK.”

McCarthy says he was planning to make changes to his team in any case, as he did for the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s: “If you saw the team that we played at Southampton it’ll be similar to that, we had five or six changes and we competed very well.

“I am operating with probably 17 or 18 fit players and we’ve got Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday coming up, all big games, so I think it’s only right that I change some players.”

All three of the ill players are expected to be fine for Saturday's trip to Millwall.

Photo: Action Images

JoeDickerson420 added 14:07 - Jan 12 some of the conns of having a wafer thin squad. use the TM wisely Mick
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cromwellblue added 14:10 - Jan 12 Midfield then pick's itself. Hunt, Hyam, Bru , Hunt
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thebeat added 14:13 - Jan 12 Id bring Parr in and rest a centre half, Sit Hyam in front of the back 4 with Bru and Ambrose ahead of him and put S. Hunt up with Murph and Didz. Might aswell just go for it.
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BristolTractor added 14:13 - Jan 12 Yeah, those four and Ando I guess?
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JimmyJazz added 14:13 - Jan 12 Would prefer to bow out gracefully in 90 minutes on Wednesday and then concentrate on the league. Beginning to think that Norwich losing at Preston was the best result for them - also got them a new manager.
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flashblue added 14:14 - Jan 12 Will he go 4-3-3?
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RegencyBlue added 14:16 - Jan 12 To be honest 3 points at Millwall Saturday are far more important than this game so not overly bothered. Bru will have a point to prove because he should have started against Derby rather than Hyam IMHO.
13

Lightningboy added 14:16 - Jan 12 Just a suggestion - how about playing Parr at left back and moving Mings onto the left wing?
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Popeye added 14:17 - Jan 12 Might be an opportunity for Cam Stewart to play 70mins
11

TractorBoyOlly added 14:31 - Jan 12 Why a 19:55 kick off? Apologies if this has already been covered.
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blues1 added 14:33 - Jan 12 Phil. Can u tell us but isn't mcgoldrick suspended too, as was his 5th booking on sat?
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Wallingford_Boy added 14:34 - Jan 12 Gerks Chambo Smith Berra Mings Ando Hyam Bru Hunt Didz Murphy
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bellazzurri79 added 14:37 - Jan 12 I would rest the majority of the first team. Millwall is the priority. I would go with: Gerken Parr smith chambers Clarke Hunt Hyam Bru Ambrose Stewart N Hunt
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sweas77 added 14:37 - Jan 12 Blues1 -in regards to McGoldricks 5th booking, I believe there is a certain date later in December that you get suspended if you get 5 bookings before this date, this changes in January, I am sure someone else will be able to clarify it slightly better but that is jist if it
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Wallingford_Boy added 14:40 - Jan 12 Correct - its 9 bookings now before suspension..
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Wallingford_Boy added 14:41 - Jan 12 Actually Ando might start for Ambrose, allowing Hyam to sing "Hunt to the left of me, Ando to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with Bru"..
24

CavendishBlue added 14:45 - Jan 12 blues 1 I think it's ten bookings now before he gets suspended as we are after 1st Nov
1

Marcus_Evans added 14:47 - Jan 12 It will be basically the same team that started the 1st game. Given it is on TV, neither manager will weaken their team too much as it wouldn't be great to be embarrassed on national TV!
1

nysully added 14:55 - Jan 12 I would strongly consider giving Murphy or Didz a rest. Or at the very least make sure our two front men do not play 90 minute a piece. Its the only position we cannot readily replace from our squad. Interested to see what Koeman does now that they have somewhat consolidated their spot in the top 4. They need more fixtures about as much as we do! Their starting 11 will be no where near as strong as the drawn match IMHO.

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Bluejake added 15:04 - Jan 12 Nice one Wallingford Boy - made me smile
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Slambo added 15:11 - Jan 12 Tabb to the left of me, Skuse to the right - here I am, stuck in the middle with Bru! Yes i'm stuck in the middle with Bru, And I dunno what it is I should do, It's so hard to keep the smile from my face, When he's passin' the ball all over the place! IT WRITE'S ITSELF! Get it sung lads...
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battyblue added 15:34 - Jan 12 Ambrose to start again,Bru as well if Luke Hyam plays lets hope he knows which way we are kicking. Cant see us scoring in this one somehow.
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jas0999 added 15:44 - Jan 12 "It's very unlikely that they'll be involved but I think the other 14 are OK" ... speaks volumes and I suspect a message to ME. We have 14 available players. Sorry ME, but you simply cant get promoted with such a small squad. It would be such a shame if all MM's hard work is undone due to not having adequate cover. The strike force is a prime example. I sincerely hope Murphy or McGoldrick don't come down with it, otherwise we have a major issue. Other teams will strengthen. They have already. Time for us to as well. Forget we are 'doing well'. Yes, we are. But we need to ensure ample cover is available. Derby signed Bent. Brentford spent a million on a midfilder. Even Rotherham bid a million for a player!

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Facefacts added 15:57 - Jan 12 TractorBoyOlly 19:55 kick-off - timing dictated by being live on BBC TV
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brian_a_mul added 16:18 - Jan 12 Even though we have a small squad, we has some genuine quality to come in to the team, as listed by you all up above! Bru, Hyam, Ambrose, x2 Hunt, Ando, Cameron: are all genuine good players and still give us tactical flexibility if/when needed!
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