Teddy Bishop is out of Saturday’s game away against Championship leaders Watford and Jonny Parr is a doubt, while David McGoldrick, Luke Hyam, Dean Gerken and Darren Ambrose again all miss out.

McCarthy confirmed that none of those who have missed the last few games will be ready to make their return at Vicarage Road.

“No is the answer to that, not at all,” he said. “In fact we’ve got possibly two more missing. Jonny Parr got a kick and he hasn’t trained today, so he’s a doubt.

“And Teddy Bishop won’t play as he’s got sore shins, sort of the onset of shin splints, which is the last thing we want. The pitches have gone from really heavy to being quite firm.

“He came off [on Tuesday], he got a kick on them as well and he won’t be involved on Saturday.

“He will be a top player Bish, I don’t doubt that, but we’ve got to be careful with him. The last thing I need is for him to be suffering with shin splints and missing the rest of the season because if that does become worse that’s what could happen. But we’re not going to let it happen.”

McCarthy says no decision has yet been made on whether Bishop will be left out of the England U19s squad, the 18-year-old having received a first international call earlier in the week.

“I don’t know,” he added. "I’m going to speak to [England U19s coach] Sean O’Driscoll first.

"To be called up for England at any level should be an honour, certainly. It’s sad if he can’t go but I’ve got to give them the medical report first.”

McCarthy hopes Hyam, who has been suffering with a knee injury, McGoldrick, who has had a thigh problem, and Ambrose could return after the international break.

“I hope so,” McCarthy continued. “Luke was out training today. They had to go and introduce me to him because I haven’t seen him for so long.

“He had a smile on his face, he was out on the grass, out in the fresh air and out of the gym. I think he’s far more optimistic.

“Didz, I just don’t know. He’s not been troubled by it too much but he is being troubled by it enough so he can’t train.”

He says McGoldrick won’t go away with the Republic of Ireland next week, having initially been named in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad.

“He’s not fit, I haven’t got him down on my desk as being in the preliminary squad because they know he’s injured,” the Town boss said.

“Darren Ambrose must be ruing the fact that he trained that day and he pulled up with his hamstring. That’s been really long-term injury.”

Keeper Gerken will again be left out having been knocked unconscious during last week’s game at Middlesbrough.

“He’s not involved because we’ve got one game and then we’ve got two weeks before the next one so what’s the point of taking any risk?” McCarthy added. “No a chance. He’s fine, but I’m not going to risk him.”

The Blues manager says there are currently no loan additions on the horizon with the deadline a week today: “Not at the moment, nothing’s happening.”

Photo: Action Images

PJH added 16:57 - Mar 19 Just discovered that D'Urso is the ref on Saturday-hopefully whatever major mistakes he makes will go in our favour.
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Surco72 added 17:10 - Mar 19 Bart Chambo, Smith, Berra ,Mings Bru, Skuse, Tabb Sears,Murphy, Hunt 1-0 Town win , how's that for positive
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blues1 added 17:23 - Mar 19 karls dad. if you look at the facts our squad isn't much different in size than most clubs squads. have only seen about 2 teams down here this season who have significantly larger squads than we do. and that doesn't guarantee nething neway. derby have lost 2 players with injury(bent/martin) and haven't won since, so its not all about the size of the squad. also, it has to be said that when mm has stated on occasions that hes only had 18 fit players, that was not strictly true. he had 18 fit players that he was willing to use. he wasn't considering henshall, stewart, Connolly, to name but three. also, even if both bishop and parr were out sat then it simply would mean that stewart/Connolly could come into the squad, also hunt available. so 2 injured, 3 possible replacements .so hardly a wafer thin squad we have, is it.

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warktheline added 17:34 - Mar 19 Personally don't think the back 4 that has been playing regularly will be able to shut shop for 90 mins. Sometimes if all else fails...then going all out attack can upset the opposition in a one off game.Not many are expecting us to get much out of the game therefore why not go for it! Let's play proper hoof ball, 424. Give the young Irish boy a crack, with Murphy, Sears and Varney! Two workhorses in midfield. Just a thought! If Watford do have a weakness then it's the CB pairing, lacks pace.

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NSL added 17:37 - Mar 19 I have watched 'the bish' on a few occasions now. Am I the only one who fails to see the midfield magician he is supposed to be?! Man for man, Bru is actually better so his absence is fine by me. Also, I wish they would tell us the truth about McGoldrick, instead of mugging us off. 3 months out for a sore calf?!! dear oh dear.
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happybeingblue added 17:39 - Mar 19 thought watford looked a very good attacking side when we somehow won 1-0,more impressive than derby boro and norwich i honestly think the next 2 games are against the 2 teams that probably deserve to go up...shocked that norwich beat them 3-0 recently so you never know if their defence is poor again we have hope...but i do envy the football watford and bouremouth play... it can be done if you can buy the right players ...i hope we are scouting for next season now in the lower leagues or abroad, like watford and bournemouth have done as we aint gonna spend millions or even thousands it seems.

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martin587 added 17:48 - Mar 19 Too much negativity on here.We got where we are without a midfield all season so one player missing won't make that much difference surely.Just means the rest will have to step up to the mark.Town I'll do ok.COYB.
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hazelton added 18:41 - Mar 19 "As usual there are more negative posts than positive but why? " If you can't work that one out perhaps you haven't actually been to any games since January.
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footyblue added 18:48 - Mar 19 just means anderson or hunt will play simples
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bostonusablue added 18:51 - Mar 19 Why can't we ever see the headline: 'Tabby Out'?
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muccletonjoe added 19:15 - Mar 19 we were always relying on everyone staying fit , so to have half a dozen first teamers out is a big body blow , especially playing a team like Watford . Its a backs to the wall job for those who do play and sometimes this can bring about a performance.
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PJH added 19:17 - Mar 19 hazelton-in fact I have been to every league game home and away since January.But perhaps you have too? My original question still stands.
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TheSelkirk added 19:26 - Mar 19 Positive... 3-0 to the Town Skuse hat trick Durso suffers million to one 'anal incident' involving corner flag Beer provided free of charge for all visiting fans Mila Kunis is waiting in my shower when I get home, shouting "come and get me fat boy" or 2-1 to the Town? BTW, Does anyone know how many we are taking up to sunny Watford? And what's the best watering hole nowadays?

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Pip50 added 20:08 - Mar 19 Now is nothing about creativity just grit mess up football stealing possession and nicking goals, bit like Tuesday . 8 sh?t performances and circa 17 points may get us play off. If not plan 2015/6 without this management regime.
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bluesince84 added 20:12 - Mar 19 realistically this has to be the best news possible for mick. If they were fit, he would be forced to play pacy and attacking players who run at defenses which is contrary to what mick is trying to achieve (having said that that, Parr has been great recently meaning he would probably be on the bench anyway) At least now he has an excuse to use the hoof ball tactics that have served him so well since January. And wasn't Mcgoaldrick meant to be a strong consideration for sat?????? when is the news bulletin going to be posted that he has moved on as clearly something is up....

1

blueboy1981 added 20:12 - Mar 19 Oh well - ready made excuse if we lose this one for some - wafer thin squad (self inflicted) so what more can be said, or expected. Parr, Bishop and Ambrose (still) - are definitely big potential losses against such opposition. As for McGoldrick - maybe / maybe not see him in an ITFC shirt again. 11 men on the goal line then Michael - he's probably already thought of that, as his normal line of thinking. Who knows ? ....... we may just win ..... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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TimmyH added 20:13 - Mar 19 Bishop has been asked a lot (as per Mings) as it's his first full season and let's face it we really weren't expecting too much from him this season so these were 2 BIG bonuses for Mick and our penny pinching owner, so personally feel Bishop now he's 'pushed on' more he now needs to get down the gym in the summer and hopefully will pick up less injuries. Bru will have to be the creative force for Saturday and yet another who has been somewhat surprising...all the names mentioned above Mr Evans must be rubbing his hands over - imagine where we'd be without them even though Mings now looks tired and a certain Mr Murphy whose had the season of his career. 433 for me please Mick against Watford...will it happen? No. but only if we're 2-0 down and into the 2nd half.

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WindsorBlue added 20:20 - Mar 19 PJH Well said RE positivity! and well played for getting to boro for a 1215 kick off. I think it tends to be us folks that have been to all home games and the majority of away games over the last decade that appreciate what is happening at the moment...finally something to play for going into the final games...and undoubtedly we enjoy the days out more as a result. Whilst I respect opinions, I only respect logical well thought out ones, and preferably ones with solutions. i.e. Pip50, under what regime would you prefer? I personally cannot think of a manager that will improve us on the budget. I presume timescales are also important, and you have a 2.5 season tolerance level. I personally think a longer term management structure is more befitting of the club, so best stick with Mick, as we have made considerable year on year improvement, which is the foundation of any business/club. Loyalty is very important and IMO he saved us from relegation to League One, then where would we be.

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WorcesterBlue added 20:21 - Mar 19 These are big losses no doubt and no McG another problem moving forwards. Connoly in with Sears and Murph up front, midfield three behind (picks itself), Parr at RFB hopefully. 3-3 :)
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petermorris added 20:40 - Mar 19 To PJH/WindsorBlue - couldn't agree more. If MM&TC hadn't turned up all this hysterical nonsense would, at this point, be over a playoff position in League 1. People have very, very short memories.
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wayway added 20:41 - Mar 19 To that idiot who said we must not be negative and look at Blackpool. all I will say to him is if more Blackpool supporters had complained last season they might be where they are now. I don't want to see us it that position a year from now because believe me that could happen. Still perhaps Tabb, Anderson, Smith and the rest of Boring Billys favourites will have found there true level.

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PJH added 20:44 - Mar 19 Thank you WindsorBlue-it just annoys me that a lot of posters first reaction is to find a negative. Obviously, as I said, not everything is perfect but I still think that we as ITFC supporters have much to be happy about.
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PJH added 20:50 - Mar 19 wayway-I am the idiot that said we should not be negative. I think you will find that where Blackpool are now is where ITFC WERE two and a half years ago. Very sensible post by you though-posted like a true ITFC supporter.
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BriggEnd added 20:51 - Mar 19 Come on murphy i hope at least you finish been championship top goal scorer you deserve it big time.
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froudy added 21:19 - Mar 19 Paulcooperisgod - I think I speak for the majority when I say there are few Things Id like to see less than Mick's balls
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