Town boss Mick McCarthy believes striker David McGoldrick can still have a big part to play in the remaining 10 games of the season. The 27-year-old is back in training having been out of action with a thigh injury since the Rotherham match at the start of February.

McGoldrick had only returned from a fortnight out with the knee injury which he suffered in the FA Cup replay against his former club Southampton a week prior to picking up his latest problem.

“Of course he can,” McCarthy said. “I was just asked whether it would take 75 points [to get in the play-offs], that’s still five wins in my view.

“It might be more this year, but I think we’ve all got each other to play. There’s still plenty to play for and Didzy might be involved yet.”

The Republic of Ireland striker, the subject of a £7.5 million Leicester City approach last summer, has been targeting Saturday’s live Sky game at Middlesbrough for his return, although McCarthy previously said that he felt that that match might come too soon for him.

However, the Blues manager says last season’s 16-goal top scorer, who has netted seven times so far this season, is back in training and is making progress.

“He’s looking a bit happier, smilier,” McCarthy added. “That’s what happens when you get off that treatment table. It’s looking more optimistic.”

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 06:53 - Mar 11 Get him in there. He may not have been performing to the heights of last season (different role somewhat, with Murph more the centre forward) but we have missed his creativity & ability to take possession, under pressure, into the danger areas. Maybe Mick should throw caution to the wind & switch to all out attack in a 5-1-4 formation, seeing as our midfield is weak & we have the quality of Didzy, Murph, Freddie Sears & Chris Wood up front now. Maybe not, then again ....

2

truckertractorboy added 07:13 - Mar 11 Surely about 1 hour of a unfit dids playing in a central attacking midfield role is better then nothing . Lets face it nothing is all we getting from the midfield at the moment
3

Keaneish added 07:24 - Mar 11 Which 5 games from the last 10 do you see us winning? I can pick 4 at this stage given our current form: Bolton, Blackpool, Cardiff and maybe Huddersfield. The rest are in the balance...
8

DurhamTownFan added 07:42 - Mar 11 Agree with the first post: we've certainly missed his ability to bring the ball down in the final third. Agree that we might as well give him a go. He was hardly fit vs Fulham on the first day of the season but had a decent game in that one. Let's be positive about the remaining games. We're all disappointed that we've tailed off a bit, but it would be amazing to be back in the play offs! Anyone can beat anyone else on the day, and even if we didn't win them in think it would really help our ability to bring more quality in over the summer (and maybe persuade ME that it might be worth investing a little again)

5

blue7579 added 07:42 - Mar 11 We need him back ASAP, he played a big part in a lot of our goals and attacking play, think he has been massively missed, no one else can pick the ball up deep and run at the defence and shoot from outside the box like he can, gives teams a lot to think about.
6

oscarwhiting added 08:00 - Mar 11 id rather see 60 odd mins of an unfit didzy being a threat and helping us score a couple then a 10 mins at the end didzy when were trying to chase the game to no affect. But i along with probably everyone else dont want to see sears dropped. Diamond anyone? Bart/gerks chambo smith berra mings/parr skuse Ando Stewart(maybe?) Didz Murphy Sears just a thought
-3

bluefeast added 08:00 - Mar 11 we will probably win the ones we dont think we will and drop points against the sides who we think we will win against. The whole season hinges on a what happens over the next 5 games in reality ,as we will either be right in there or 6 or 7 points off the play offs. Phew its a stress ball...
8

ArnieMsBigToe added 09:13 - Mar 11 Let's just get back to the real world for a minute!! Every team in the top 8 or 9 have had poor spells during the season. Realistically, we can't expect to be the exception. Contributors to this site have suggested that Didz is unsettled - doom and gloom . . . McGoldrick is the piece of the puzzle that's been missing. He is the link from the midfield to the attack (if MM & TC put him just behind Murph and Sears - which I think they will). He is a class act. The evidence for this is 1. The amount of time he appears to have on the ball. 2. The ability to visualise a pass, and execute it. He just needs to take his time and not 'snatch' at shots on goal.

12

bluesince84 added 09:26 - Mar 11 All good posts today with excellent suggestions for formation . You know what formation will happen when he's fit . 442 tabb starting, sears on bench .
1

Smithy added 09:55 - Mar 11 Gerken/Bialkowski Parr Chambers Berra Mings Skuse Bru Bishop McGoldrick Sears Murphy
22

Pilgrimblue added 10:03 - Mar 11 Agree with all that Arnie. I'm hoping that he'll get say 20 mins on Saturday at least. He's so important to Town but why he went off the boil I can't work out! Like you said he was snatching at shots whereas as last season he was always close. Was it his fitness or confidence or what? He certainly gives the team something different as the rest of midfield cant find many goals between them and while some like Tabb/Skuse work hard the rest aren't doing anything extra. Hope TC can work on them as we need goals from rest and not rely on Murph if we're going to make it.

2

BackTheBlues added 10:09 - Mar 11 I must say I do love everyone who wants to put Didz in an 'Attacking Midfield' role... A) As if he's got the legs for that B) That would leave us even shorter of central midfielders because he won't be doing any defending... Also everyone who was slating him on here when he wasn't playing so well? He is a touch of class above the rest of our squad and someone we have missed dreadfully! When he wasn't scoring he assisted half of Murph's goals - which have started slowing down without his presence. The chap above who mentioned 4 wins he could see - yeah agree with that, but I'd also be looking at Bournemouth at HOME as a possibility if we're on our game and this Saturday is not out at all - we have a decent ish record at borough!

2

Razor added 10:15 - Mar 11 I think that his very presence in squad will boost everybody, however long he plays. Play him in Eric Gates role just behind strikers, he can actually pass a ball on the floor over 10 yards, into Freddies path then in to the goal-----COME ON!! Now off to Middlesborough via Cheltenham!
2

buddsterblue added 10:21 - Mar 11 That 'smithy' is a dream team for me pal would love to see it but my gut feeling says it's unlikely!;(
5

jocasaja added 10:22 - Mar 11 I 100% agree with 'Smithy's' team selection - Parr needs to play - Smith needs to be taken out of the firing line - strong central midfield with Didz just behind Sears and Murphy - would also have at least 1 winger on the bench..Anderson and or Stewart if we need to change it
4

billlm added 10:27 - Mar 11 Like that smithy my team to, like the post above says mm wont play that, seems you and me and lots of others would, hes far to negative
2

Michael11 added 10:29 - Mar 11 So last week he was hoping to have him back for Middlesbrough on Saturday, now he hopes to have him back before the end of the season? Something isn't right with McGoldrick and I'm not sure what. Hopefully he can get fit and firing as we miss having that link between midfield and attack desperately.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:41 - Mar 11 Sadly, I'm not optimistic we will get much game time out of McG, so I agree with Michael 11. But there's little doubt that if we COULD get him back playing it would increase our chances a lot.
1

Lightningboy added 10:46 - Mar 11 Spot on with that line up Smithy..i'd personally go for Hyam when fit instead of Bru (too lightweight or me). We need to put the last 2 months behind us and play the next 10 games with a positive attitude and take these matches by the scruff of the neck..Mick needs to stop worrying about the opposition (and the nicking a goal attitude) and concentrate on our own game 100%.

-1

BrettenhamBlue added 10:57 - Mar 11 Any news on Taylor's potential loan to Blackburn or Mcdonnells work permit situation Phil? Tabb would be an automatic choice in midfield. to join him maybe Hyam, Skuse and Bru. MCgoldrick to return for the play-offs would be awesome!
-3

blueherts added 11:16 - Mar 11 cONNOLLY WILL BE UNLEASHED
0

Garv added 11:16 - Mar 11 Gerken Parr Chambers Berra Mings Stewart Bishop Bru Tabb Murphy Sears
-2

Geoff added 11:17 - Mar 11 Lets hear the truth Mick i too think something is wrong that is why he has brought in Wood.Something happened when the window shut in January.
0

bellazzurri79 added 11:56 - Mar 11 I agree something isn't right here with Didzy and I don't believe it's injury
2

bluesince84 added 12:29 - Mar 11 Harv apart from tabb that's a good team right there
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls