Town boss Mick McCarthy says he expects striker Noel Hunt to be out for the rest of the campaign with the medial knee ligament injury he suffered in the 2-1 at Fulham last week.

The Ireland international was stretchered off after falling awkwardly in the closing stages at Craven Cottage and will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks.

McCarthy doesn’t think there’s a chance of seeing the 32-year-old return to action this season, even if the player himself sees things different.

“It’s doubtful,” McCarthy said. “Noel’s saying he has, which is great. Aim for it and it might happen. I think it’s a three-month injury. ‘Play-offs,’ he’s saying, so let’s hope he’s right.

“Let’s hope we’re promoted before the play-offs. Who knows? At the start of the season we would have taken that.

“And if that’s where we are at the end of the season I’ll take it and it would be great if Hunty’s fit.”

He says everyone at the club feels for a player who has become a popular figure in a short time at Town.

“He’s made a huge impact on the place, and a big contribution in the short period of time he’s been here,” the Blues boss added.

“The goal he scored at Charlton and then the goals he scored at Millwall. And just his contribution around the place, his personality, fitting in.

“He’s been a pleasure to have around, and still is despite the injury. He’s flying around on his crutches and he’s still got a smile on his face and is contributing still. That’s nice.”

Hunt, who joined Town after leaving Leeds in January following a loan spell, is out of contract in the summer but McCarthy says now’s not the time to be looking at his longer-term future.

“I’ve not made a decision on that. We’ll look after him and make sure we get him fit.

"I guess that unless somebody comes in and says they definitely want to sign him for next year, he’s welcome to start here and if he’s fit we’ll see how it goes. And we’ll see where we are. Who knows where we’ll be?”

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 07:43 - Feb 21 That's bad new for Noël and us. I wish him a speedy recovery. Think we need to sign another striker. We go into today's game with just three. The main competitors have plenty of options available, ready and waiting just in case they need a goal. We have Varney.
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Guthrum added 09:01 - Feb 21 Shame for Noel. Came in, played well and has bagged us six vital points.
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