Boss Mick McCarthy says he expects ill trio Cole Skuse, Jay Tabb and Teddy Bishop to be OK for Saturday’s Championship game at Millwall and won’t be delving into the loan market for cover. The three midfielders will miss Wednesday night’s FA Cup third round replay at home to Southampton due to a virus.

McCarthy says that despite having three players from the same area of his team unavailable he’s not considering bringing anyone in.

“They’re not long-term illnesses, they’ll all be all right, I’m hoping for Saturday’s game. Skusey certainly,” he said.

“You do what you think is right, we rested him at Southampton and he’s been ill ever since.

“It’s like when you leave them out and they get injured in training. It’s nuts.

"I think they’ll all be OK and I can’t do anything before this game so what’s the point in me breaking my neck to rush out and get somebody else who, if everybody’s fit, won’t play anyway?”

McCarthy is also amongst those to suffered from the bug which has been around the club for a few weeks now, the Town manager having been unwell shortly before Christmas. He says it took him a while to shake it off.

“I’m actually quite pleased because it knocked me out for about a week and I thought I was getting soft,” he joked.

“But I realise now I’m maybe not as soft as I was as it’s laid up some of the younger, fitter people. But I’m not too happy that they are laid up because they can’t play.”

Tyrone Mings has emerged as another to be less than 100% at present, the left-back tweeting last night: “Dinner, one (or 20) cups of Lemsip and watch [Frank Nouble and Jordan Turnbull for Coventry and Swindon] go head to head tonight.”

McCarthy says he’d be happy to stick with his current squad for the rest of the season with the emergency loan provision there if he needs it: “I don’t see why not. I can’t guarantee results, all I can is guarantee performances and maximum effort and professionalism and focus on all the games that they play.

“They’ve been terrific and I don’t see that being any different. If we get injuries because of the number of games they play we’ve still got the loan system up until March.”

He was pleased to see Alex Henshall make his debut as a sub for Blackpool on Saturday, having joined the Seasiders on loan on Friday.

“He needs to play,” the Town boss said. “He came on after about 60 minutes and the more football he gets the better for him and the better for us.”

McCarthy says he’s not looking to get anyone else out on loan, despite Cameron Stewart, like Henshall, having had limited opportunities since joining the club in the summer.

“Not really, to be fair to Cammy. He’s got his head down and he’s trying to get into the team and be involved. But we will have to wait until everybody’s fit [to let anyone go out on loan] because we’re a bit low on numbers.”

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 06:33 - Jan 13 The way we play ie the massive intensity , we cover more grass than any other side in the division , our squad will feel the rigours of that. Our squad is smaller than the rest of the top 10 clubs. I feel if we want to step up out of this division we should be making permanent signings as if you look at our bench there is no real cover. Then you look at Hyam for example ,been out a while ,played no reserve type under 21 football ,straight back in and weakened us noticeably. Two quality signings , a right back and a quick striker ,ie pace for the last 20 mins of a game ,we have banj and salmon ,hardly put the fear of god into oposition do they. We dont have a true right back in the building at the moment.

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muccletonjoe added 06:44 - Jan 13 You have to say, we should be looking at getting players in now rather than relying on emergency loans if someone gets injured. I think it's a mistake, time will tell who is right
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Jimmy86 added 08:16 - Jan 13 I think it is worrying Mick doesn't deem necessary to bring in new faces to strengthen the team. It's good he is pleased with what he's got, they are the players who have got us to where we are now and full credit to then for that, but we must have one of the smallest squads on the championship and should be looking to add a bit of strength in depth!!! Have a feeling this will determine where we finish in may. Also don't know if this reluctance to sign players is driven by Mick or ME. You'd like to think that some money is there for Mick if he wants to spend it

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Surco72 added 08:25 - Jan 13 I think this window will highlight the difference between chairmen .MM has his hands tied by the sounds of it and will see what happens and react after rather than trying to improve what we have by going after players we want or areas we are weak like others are doing . Our midfield is unquestionably full of work rate and energy but very limited in creation and goals , I fear huff and puff may not be enough over a long season ?

3

carsey added 09:06 - Jan 13 I think people ought to stop panicking. Firstly we don't yet have a problem, we are 3rd, one point of top and doing quite nicely. Secondly unlike previous managers at this club MM has a shown that he tends not to tell anyone anything about players coming in until after it happens. I agree with those who say we ought to try to bring in one or two players but I also feel confident that MM and TC know what they are doing and could well surprise us before the end of the month. Keep the faith.

8

C_HealyIsAPleasure added 09:48 - Jan 13 Well that's convenient
0

BrettenhamBlue added 10:20 - Jan 13 Doing well, but our squad is way too small. Imagine if Murphy and MCgoldrick get injured? Personally I wouldn't feel too confident with Bajner and Sammon up front every game. Would say we still need a good back-up striker and a versatile full-back who can play on the left or right as back-up. This is the point in the season where illness always strikes
1

JoeDickerson420 added 10:29 - Jan 13 Personally would like to see a creative midfielder to sit behind the top 2. also a back up FWD for DM and Murph, im sure everyone is well aware that MM will have his list lined up on speed dial ready if someone gets a knock but i might be on my own when saying this but fear if we wait for an injury to come around it may leave us too short notice. but hey, 1pt from top top top top top of th' league! Town win at millwall.. 3-1, say no more

2

RaymondovicBlue added 12:00 - Jan 13 Mick may well have his hands tied by the lack of first team opportunities. If he dropped Murph or Dids there would be uproar ... so who would want to come and warm the bench? I agree we are a small squad and therefore vulnerable, but it may actually not be Mick or ME who are holding us back, but the ambition of the calibre of players you and I would want to see..... COYB

1

RaymondovicBlue added 12:01 - Jan 13 Meanwhile back at the story - get well soon boys !
4

Surco72 added 12:57 - Jan 13 Murph and Dids will be injuries waiting to happen if they have to play every game from now until the end of season . How about Jesse Lingard from Utd , coming back from injury needs games ahead of next year and look quality in this league last season and is a goal threat ?
4

Kirbmeister added 13:22 - Jan 13 The reluctance to sign players is because the club is in huge debt. We would all love a couple of quality signings but the best we can hope for is a couple of loans. Just because on paper ME is worth millions it doesnt mean to say he has loads of cash to throw around.
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theblueginger added 14:42 - Jan 13 We are about 2 players short of being strong championship title material. If ever there was a time to invest even slightly, it is now.
1

battyblue added 15:04 - Jan 13 We need another play-maker in midfield and we need another striker who is capable of scoring on a regular basis to be contenders for top two finish if we finish in the four below top two we have to play the equivalent of two cup finals and win them both to go up .
2

Pilgrimblue added 15:25 - Jan 13 I agree that we dont need false rumours orchestrated by media but like many I'd not wnat to rely on emergency loans as it smacks of panic. We surely need striker and JW type plus central defensive cover. Then we can cover all options esp like 3 games in 7 days. Could be a hard January if MM isn't careful.
1

tractorboybig added 15:55 - Jan 13 We have to live within our means.we are NOT a top championship side. derby are going up, they are bringing a number of players now and they were pretty hot before. We have to cross our fingers and hope, its realality and mick seems to be well aware of that.
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EatonBlue added 16:22 - Jan 13 I am suffering from the same virus.
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neillrumsey added 17:37 - Jan 13 Spearman and Matt Jarvis muted as heading our way
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neillrumsey added 17:38 - Jan 13 Should read Stearman...
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:13 - Jan 13 Matt Jarvis -would be a great addition.
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jas0999 added 20:11 - Jan 13 We need to strengthen. No real striker back up, a lack of goals in midfield and one of the smallest squads in the division. I just hope our promotion dream isn't ruined by a lack of options if / when injuries and suspensions bite. That would be really disappointing.
1

Bluespeed added 23:06 - Jan 13 West Brom sused Paul Jewell out quickly then !!!
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DurhamTownFan added 23:09 - Jan 13 I think mick is being coy on transfers so as not to upset the team morale during what must be a difficult time immediately after the derby game. Saying he's gonna sign a whole load of new players is a bad idea for a team that's just lost a big game and looking to bounce back
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