Town will again be without striker David McGoldrick when Bolton Wanderers visit Portman Road on Tuesday evening, the Ireland international having suffered what’s hoped to be a minor setback as he makes his return from a thigh injury. Keeper Dean Gerken was back at Playford Road today having been knocked unconscious at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

McCarthy had hoped that McGoldrick would be in the squad for the Trotters’ visit but that won't be the case: “He felt it on Friday. It’s just a little setback, we’re hoping it’s nothing but enough so he didn’t train today, so he’s not available.”

The Town boss admits that the 27-year-old has been missed, just as he was during his absence towards the end of 2013/14.

“It was the end of last season that he was out and we missed him then and maybe that cost us and he’s been out now,” he added.

”He has been a fabulous player for us. From walking through the door, he’s just been one of the top men.

“I don’t want to disrespect anybody else, but I think all the players know he’s one of the top men and he does help make us a better team.”

McCarthy says Gerken was back at the club today having been stretchered off in the early stages at Boro and taken to hospital where he underwent scans.

“He’s fine, he’s been in today,” he added. “He was in all night for observation having been knocked out and, of course, there was nobody at home to look after him because his wife was in the hospital having given birth on the Friday.

“She paid £40 to watch it on Sky and saw her husband carried off on a stretcher, which isn’t the ideal way to spend the first day with your newborn. They’re OK, he’s all right.”

He says the former Colchester man won’t be risked against Bolton: “I’m not quite sure what the rule is but we won’t take any risks with him. There’s no chance we’ll take a risk.”

Bartosz Bialkowski, who came off the bench at the Riverside, is set to start with Paddy Kenny, who was with Bolton for a short spell earlier in the season, likely to be on the bench.

Meanwhile, Darren Ambrose (hamstring), Luke Hyam and Noel Hunt (both knee) are still sidelined.

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 20:42 - Mar 16 Injured or not is pretty irrelevant, the way he has played this season I would rather have sears playing anyway.
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harmitfc added 21:18 - Mar 16 Just found this on twtd from 10 years ago and the 2nd leg defeat to West Ham: "A disappointing end to a season which promised so much. Back in February promotion was Town's to lose and lose it they did" Oh how times change...
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blueboy1981 added 21:21 - Mar 16 PJH ........... my pleasure. Goodnight.
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wayway added 21:22 - Mar 16 Some of the idiots on here really get my goat. The support the club at all cost brigade, you must not criticise, MM is the best manager on the planet etc etc etc. Are they all just wide eyed schoolkids. Well I used to be like that in 1961 when I was there when we beat Villa to win the championship, I was there in 78 when we won the cup and I was there in 81 when we won the UEFA cup so I think I have the right to criticise. McCarthy is a boring stubborn man who only knows how to play boring defensive football. The sooner he goes the better but that will not happen as long as Evans PLC owns the club. They are quite happy to let him go his own boring way as they are no longer interested as the club is not the cash cow they expected. And as for any investment, don't make me laugh, Varney/Bamford Chaplow/Bent the list goes on. I wish I could see some light at the end of a very dark tunnell

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braveblue added 22:34 - Mar 16 Just can't believe people are picking a team with Skuse and Tabb in it. Have you not seen the last two months?
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warwickblue added 22:45 - Mar 16 wayway - it almost makes me weep to remember some of those big European games and to compare them with the ghastly hoof-ball of the last couple of months. I've been a regular since the 1960s. I suppose the only thing you can say is that, a few seasons ago, things were marginally worse. I was still excited about this season until a couple of months ago. Now I'm thinking that this really might be my last year as a season ticket holder. We have been here too many times before and I'm just losing any hope that things will ever change - or indeed that there is anyone at the Club with the genuine will to change it.

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Kirbmeister added 22:45 - Mar 16 When McG was in the side but not on top of his game he was heavily criticised because of his 'bad attitude' Now he is not even in the side and people are realising what a very good player he is and how much we miss him. No one knows when he will be back but hopefully soon. MM wont rush him and we may have to wait for next season to see him back to his best. Injuries happen, its a bugger but that's football.

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essex57 added 09:23 - Mar 17 Gfh installing belief in the fans you wouldnt think so judging by the posts on here most of the time. I am a firm believer in MM cos i dont think you could get much better with what resources we have got . With regards the general standard of football there are lots of games where we have dominated possession shots on target completed passes corners won etc and drawn or got beaten our problem is that we have given away far to many points by shoddy defending and players missing open goals apart from perhaps 6 games end of nov /dec we have never realy looked worthy of our lofty position having said that lets get behind our overachieving team and bring on the twelve player the FANS

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