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

htfc added 12:36 - Mar 11 we'll prob need 4 draws to go with those 5 wins...75 won't be enough
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alfromcol added 12:39 - Mar 11 MM "There's still plenty to play for and Didzy might be involved yet.” "Might" doesn't sound too positive to me!!!
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FenboyBlue added 12:40 - Mar 11 It occurred to me the other day that maybe our stuttering form in the new year has been due to a certain extent in Didzy's absence from the team. Murphy & Sears with Didzy just behind in attack is a mouth-watering prospect. Bring it on.
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StowTractorBoy added 12:51 - Mar 11 I too don't believe 5 wins will do it. At the moment it looks as though 78 points may be needed. We can do it but we need a change of form and some luck. Those calling for Stewart sorry but nowhere near a starting place at the moment.
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tractorintheloft added 13:00 - Mar 11 1.8 points per game with Didzy 1.4 without this season. Lets not rush him back into action as he had only just come back last time. We have 10 games to play and would rather have him for the last 7 (+3 hopefully) rather than just the next three.
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dawoolah added 13:20 - Mar 11 Got to agree with Smithy. I think this is a good balanced football playing team: Gerken/Bialkowski Parr Chambers Berra Mings Skuse Bru Bishop McGoldrick Sears Murphy
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itfchorry added 13:37 - Mar 11 1-Tommy Smith 2-Tommy Smith 3-Tommy Smith 4-Tommy Smith 5-Tommy Smith 6-Tommy Smith 7-Tommy Smith 8-Tommy Smith 9-Timmy Smith 10-Tommy Smith 11- Tommy Smith All the Subs - Tommy Smith All together ..... We all dream of a team of Tommy Smith's
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bohslegend added 13:38 - Mar 11 PJewellisaGod - his contract was terminated. No need for a loan. Not sure Blackburn ever actually wanted him either.
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MeenoITFC added 13:43 - Mar 11 It wil be good to have him back, hard few games coming up, id like to see Bart Parr smith chambo berra mings skuse bru McGoldrick Murphy Sears Nothing to lose now, Come on you blues
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heady added 13:49 - Mar 11 Liking the sound of Mcgoldrick (when he's fit) in behind Sears & Murphy. I think it's pretty obvious Mick will name the same side that started again Brentford for the Boro game... and I find it hard to see us getting 3 points with that side : /
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Seasider added 14:06 - Mar 11 Re Taylor thought I read/heard that ITFC will be keeping him on the books til 26th March I think it was,when the loan window closes.If nobody has come in for him on loan by then,he will be paid off. I expect this is to try and recoup a little of the vast amount of money he has cost the club.
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bluemagic74 added 14:19 - Mar 11 Defo need DMc back asap only got to look at lack of creativity and goals since he has been out and agree playing him behind front two would suit him well and the whole team in my view, hope he does get some game time at weekend C•O•Y•B where still in with a chance.
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juniorblue added 14:32 - Mar 11 We have missed McGoldrick's creativity and vision. I think he is best sitting behind the strikers as he is so good with link-up play and making that killer pass. I don't think it sounds like he is ready for Saturday though which is a shame.
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Bergholtblue added 15:48 - Mar 11 Someone has already said it on here. Sears being subbed on Saturday shows MM thinking. It will be Didsy OR Sears. Not both.
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patthegimp added 17:47 - Mar 11 McG when he was playing over the last while was the picture of depression- no apparent interest, going through the motions etc. MM comments re smile back on face may point in that direction.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:24 - Mar 11 Its no coincidence that we have been average since he got injured. And the same happened last year. We need you back Dave!
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blueboy1981 added 19:08 - Mar 11 ........... 'grasping at straws' spring to mind here - let's be real McGoldrick has missed 7 games, not even back in full training by any means as yet, therefore not within a mile of being match fit. What could be expected off him, by anyone who knows the fitness level required ? - very little, if anything. His season is over in terms of any effect he could have, although we may see him have a couple of run outs before the end of. All in all, a very poor, forgettable season for him.

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paulnstar added 20:11 - Mar 11 weve blown it ,mick out and take that scrooge evans with u .we need young upcoming manager who doesn't hoof it and play neck brace percentage football
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MHS added 20:32 - Mar 11 Interesting dilemma for MM if Didzy does reach full fitness before the end of the season - cant see how we could fit the 3 (with Sears & Murph) in the team, diamond IMO would lack width, we'd need to drop Smith and play Parr and Mings which I can't see happening, if Smith was to be dropped I think it would have been done by now. Either way we've missed Didzy's creativity in the final third - we do look one dimensional with the balls played down the channels for Sears and Murph.

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jonnysuave added 21:32 - Mar 11 It seems Smithy has thrown his hat into the ring for Mick's job, should it ever come available. A bit more thrilling selection thoughts in the comment page and maybe drop in some stirring tactical chat and I have a feeling you will walk it. Smithy's Blue and white army
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barrysandals added 21:53 - Mar 11 Blueboy, why oh why are you so negative? Is not a few months ago you said you would not post on this forum because of the criticism from other posters? Didz is a class act. I would agree he has not had the best season but it's time all ITFC fans get behind the team whether we agree or disagree with selections and tactics.
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westernblue added 21:53 - Mar 11 No-one outside the club has any idea whether McGoldrick is having problems or not, and if so what they are - and it's not something we should know in any event. And if there are problems of some sort, then he is just like most of the wider population. The inescapable fact is that he is a wonderfully talented and imaginative footballer, who has no fear of the ball whatsoever. So he could play more effectively just behind the strikers than most (or all) of our other midfielders. We should be praying that he comes back asap.

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blue86 added 21:56 - Mar 11 We have without question missed mcgoldrick, a fully fit mcgoldrick on his day is one of the best in the leauge. Would love to have him back in the side asap, but we have to be patient which is annoying with so few games left. He has been really unlucky with Injury recently, just hope he makes a speedy recovery as we miss his creativity and goal threat big time. I'm sure he will bang a few more in this season to hopefully help fire us into the playoffs!!! Ooohhhh David mcgoldrick! Coyb

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barrysandals added 21:59 - Mar 11 Westernblue and blue86. Glad to get some positivity from posters. Our team needs all the support in our next 10 games. Come on Town
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blueboy1981 added 22:04 - Mar 11 barrysandals ......... shame some of your cannot decipher the difference between being realistic and negative. Just correcting you - no mention of not posting because of criticism, ABUSE was the reason I made that statement - again there IS a very real difference. Criticism is no problem - abuse is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. Reserved and used I guess by those who know no better. In terms of opinions - you have yours - others have theirs. Both are entitled.

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