Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Kevin Bru is fit for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup third round tie at Manchester United but says Teddy Bishop is still undergoing rehab. The midfield pair have been out of action since the first week of the season with hamstring injuries.

“Kevin’s fit, we’re just looking after Ted, we’re just making sure he’s OK,” McCarthy said. “He’s still having rehab.

“There’s not too much wrong with him, we’re just making sure his hamstring is OK because [aggravating that is] the last thing we want. But Kev’s fine.”

McCarthy says keeper Dean Gerken has a sore shin and a tight groin following Friday's game but is expected to be fine, while there are no other new injury problems in his squad.

The Blues boss was keeping typically tight-lipped regarding his Old Trafford team, although he says his selection will have one eye on Bristol City’s visit to Portman Road on Saturday.

“As usual, a quarter to seven you’ll see what the team is,” he added. “But we’ve got a game on Wednesday and the last time we played in a cup tie when we travelled up to the North-West was at Preston.

“It went to extra-time and we got back here about three or half-three and we played Millwall on the Saturday and got slapped.

“It was only 1-0 but it was a 1-0 slapping, it was Ollie’s first game at home. I think they’d just lost up at Huddersfield before, and I’m conscious of that.

“We’ve had lots of games, so the last thing I need is everybody playing so we’re not able to get going on Saturday.”

McCarthy confirmed that winger Ryan Fraser came through Friday’s draw with Birmingham after coming on as a sub, having taken a knock during the win at Leeds last Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

theipswichman added 14:31 - Sep 21 I am literally so happy about this, Bru is absolute class and when Teddy eventually comes back we might finally have our strongest team with a top midfield.
1

Len_Brennan added 14:37 - Sep 21 Bialkowski Parr, Malarczyk, Berra, Knudsen Toure, Bru, Skuse, Oar Sears, Murphy Gerken, Chambers, Fraser, Douglas, Maitland-Niles, McGoldrick, Pitman
4

hoppy added 14:39 - Sep 21 Keeper will be an interesting choice... if he swaps Gerken for Bart on Wednesday, and Bart does well... will he stay in on Saturday, or would he bring Gerken back in again?
2

wkj added 14:39 - Sep 21 Bru could very well be the key into us going on a massive run. Pleased to have him back, hopefully he picks up where he left off against brentford
3

wkj added 14:43 - Sep 21 Pretty sure Mick will not go back to Bart in goal unless something serious Happens. Mick seems to have a preference on Gerken despite the questions of his ability we see popping up in the comments and forums.
1

ArnieM added 15:42 - Sep 21 Why was Bart "dropped" then , if he had delt with family matters like wd all would do. He's clearly back at work, because he's sitting on the bench,
6

sidtheswan added 16:01 - Sep 21 I think Len Brennan's team makes too much sense for MM to pick !
2

BackTheBlues added 16:21 - Sep 21 It's one of those... pick your best team have a good go and see what happens? Play a 2nd string team, get mashed and look at saturday! Oh to be a manager! Certainly will enjoy myself wednesday but 3 points are vital saturday!
1

samsonblue added 16:37 - Sep 21 The fact that the U21s are playing tonight will pretty much force his hand with regards to team selection. Would not expect to see anyone that plays tonight in the starting eleven v Utd.
1

LowstBlue added 16:47 - Sep 21 Bru simply has to play, we had very little creativity in the middle on Friday and struggled to retain possession. IMO, Douglas is a poor man's Skuse. If we keep giving the ball away in midfield against Championship sides we will get hurt, against Man. Utd we will get murdered! And also, MM, please do not select Larsen Toure. That could just be embarrassing!
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Lightningboy added 16:49 - Sep 21 Hmmmm..re Bart not getting his place back...I would like to think it's not Mick being peeved because he took time out for family matters...surely?! Anyone can see Bart is much the better keeper...even Friday Gerken still made 3 or 4 mistakes..he reminds me of the Simon Mingolet of the championship - good shot-stopper but looks dodgy every time a cross comes into the box...simply not good enough. I do wonder how Mick is going to fit Skuse,Douglas,Hyam,Bishop,Bru,Fraser,Niles,Toure,Oar into our mdfield when all fit?..great problem to have though!

6

rickw added 17:03 - Sep 21 I would guess we'll rest more than what Len put, resting 10 starters from Friday: ..............................Bialkowski Emmanuel, Malarczyk, Yorwerth, Parr Toure, ..............Bru, ............Tabb. ...Oar .......................McGoldrick, Murphy I did assume Kenlock would play but he's in the U21's tonight, he could obviously start Fraser ahead of Toure to rotate all 11, but it's not bad for a "reserve" team!! :-)

2

DurhamTownFan added 17:17 - Sep 21 Lightningboy: I think you might be right though. Maybe not 'your dad died so I'm dropping you' but more 'you knew your dad was sick and didn't tell us until the last minute'. We know once Mick falls out with someone then he's usually had enough f them. If Bart isn't back Wednesday then there's something up. Anyone else noticed how last year Gerks often got dropped with a minor injury the game after he'd made a mistake?

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blueblood66 added 17:18 - Sep 21 Having been at the 9-0 and the last one 4-0 I would just be happy to see us score up there. Yes, Bristol city is more important but I am paying a lot of money to go up and support the lads, hotel included so I want a strong line up please.
2

Len_Brennan added 18:00 - Sep 21 @rickw: Fair point & I am probably getting carried away with really wanting to see a change on the right side of defence & this gives Mick a great opportunity to do that. I had Emmanuel in initially with Parr on the left, but actually I think Knudsen needs the games to help get accustomed to the team & English football in general and I'd also play Berra as I think he is still working up to full match fitness. We may need 3 in the centre of midfield - depending on how Man Utd line out - and Tabb is a good shout for a central spot either way. Toure & Oar (from what I've read of him) would offer protection to the full back as well as being attacking outlets. (AM-N & Fraser back in to rip into Bristol City then at the weekend). Really looking forward to the game. I was that 4-0 defeat too, but mercifully missed out on the 9-0, so I'm with blueblood on wanting to see us really take the game to them.

1

mickeyjb added 18:11 - Sep 21 What did Larsen Toure do wrong that picking him would be embarrassing?
5

AbujaBlue added 18:52 - Sep 21 What nonsense, Toure has done more than enough to prove that he is a solid contender for the first team.
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PMK added 18:53 - Sep 21 Yes does seem strange talking about resting players against Man Utd!! In the hope of having a fully fit squad for Bristol City!! Yes I to am also staying in a hotel, hope there is a casino nearby! Just scoring a goal will be great. Any idea how many going?
1

runningout added 18:54 - Sep 21 Hyam seems to take time to recover... Not a good sign .. He will need to come back stronger
1

runningout added 18:56 - Sep 21 same with Bishop
1

jpring89 added 19:23 - Sep 21 Toure name would be one of the first on the teamsheet after fridays performance how it could be embarrassing i dont know the comment you made about it was embarrassing.
3

Slambo added 19:26 - Sep 21 I've said before and i'll say again, the worst thing about that Brentford game was not dropping two points, but losing Bru. An OUTSTANDING football who I think will have a break out season... Really worried about Bish. Seems to get injured easily. I know he's young and not yet particularly battle-hardened, but I just hope his career doesn't start to derail thanks to constant, niggling injuries...

2

TimmyH added 20:58 - Sep 21 Dougles...simply not good enough (on what I've seen of him), what does he offer? The sooner Bish and Bru get back the better!
1

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