Town boss Mick McCarthy says David McGoldrick, Tommy Oar and Cole Skuse could all return to the squad for Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest, while Christophe Berra is the only new injury concern after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Hull City and Jay Tabb remains sidelined.

Former Forest striker McGoldrick missed the trip to the KC Stadium with a groin problem, Oar having suffered a concussion in the home game against Huddersfield and Skuse with an ankle injury.

“I didn’t think Didzy was going to be available,’ McCarthy admitted. “I thought he was struggling for Saturday but he came to my office this morning with Matt Byard, the physio, and said ‘I want to be considered, I want to be in contention, I think I’m OK’.

“And he’s trained this morning, so I’m delighted with that. That’ll be a real plus if he’s fit.

“Tommy Oar’s trained with the physios this morning having had the bang last week but he should be training fully with us tomorrow.

“Skusey hasn’t trained today but will hopefully train tomorrow with a view to playing.”

“Christophe’s not trained since the game, he got a nasty bang on his hip, so I’m hoping he’s OK. Other than that, all the others were fine.”

Midfielder Jay Tabb remains sidelined, however: “Unusual for Tabby, he’s never had a hamstring injury and it’s been longer than he thought. Not his hamstring, of course, I mean the length of time. It’s been longer than he thought, we’d like to have him back.”

Also unavailable at present is winger Ryan Fraser, who suffered a medial knee ligament injury while away with Scotland’s U21s during the international break.

McCarthy says the 21-year-old has gone back to his parent club to undergo his rehab: “He’s at Bournemouth. He’s their player when all is said and done.

“He’ll get his first treatment there and then when he needs to come back and he’s getting ready to play he’ll come back here.”

Fraser is on a season-loan with the Blues with no recall clause available to parent clubs in such deals.

McCarthy says Luke Hyam, who underwent knee surgery in the summer, and Luke Varney, who ruptured an achilles in the play-offs, are on course for their planned November returns: “They’re fine, they’re on target for their recovery and coming back and playing.”

Former loanee Varney is currently not contracted to the Blues but will be offered a deal once he is fit.

Teddy Bishop is still undergoing his recovery from his hamstring and shin splints problems and is now training with the U18s and U21s having undergone a second pre-season programme.

Despite the recent run of poor form and spate of injuries, McCarthy says he has no loan signings currently in his plans: “No, nothing. We’ve been talking about having the best squad and if that’s the case, we’ve got players who can play.

“Tommy Oar’s been the cover for Ryan Fraser but sadly he came into the team and got knocked out. He can’t do anything about that but I’ve got to give him his chance to come back and a chance to play before I go looking for somebody else to play, a replacement.”

Meanwhile, The Blues are reported to be one of a number of Championship clubs keeping tabs on Leyton Orient striker Jay Simpson, 26, who has scored 11 goals in 15 games for the League Two side this season.

The former Arsenal, Hull City, QPR, Millwall and West Brom frontman is also claimed to be interesting the MK Dons, Brentford and Fulham.

With four senior strikers already in the squad, Town seem unlikely to be looking for an additional experienced frontman at present.

Elsewhere, ex-Blues striker Jason Scotland, 36, has joined Ladbrokes League One side Stenhousemuir on a short-term contract and is set to make his debut in Saturday’s game against Ayr United.

Photo: Action Images

rendoblue added 18:58 - Oct 22 Would love to see, Bart, Parr, Chambers, Berra , Smith, Knudsen, Bru, Skuse, Didz, Murphy, Sears. On paper a solis 3 at the back, wing backs that can cross a ball, one midfielder to sit, one to box to box, Didz to actually create for the top 2. Wishfull thinking though, maybe one day.
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Hegansheroes added 19:14 - Oct 22 Good news that Hyam is making progress. MM will be able to play Hyam, Douglass, Skuse and Tabb in middle when they're all OK
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Steelmonkey added 19:21 - Oct 22 Rickw - So Skuse played fullback for his final season at Bristol, is that why they got relegated!
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Steelmonkey added 19:24 - Oct 22 Square pegs in round holes!! Sounds familiar.
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runningout added 19:24 - Oct 22 Won't make any difference whatsoever whoever returns from lay-off.. Squad is a sorry state of so called professionals. Our manager maybe entertainment value, but even that is wearing thin
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bostonusablue added 20:29 - Oct 22 Am I the only one who thinks Knudsen is useless? I'll bet my bottom dollar the back 5 is the same again this weekend, barring injuries.
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blueboy1981 added 20:51 - Oct 22 bostonusablue ............ the lad has certainly got some potential - but far from being Championship material at the moment. Should be not be a first choice fullback, as yet anyway. Poor decision by MM to think otherwise.
7

Carberry added 20:53 - Oct 22 I just don't see Didz starting away from home. Saw the game at Reading when he played a slightly deeper role with Sears and Pitman up front and he gave it that laconic stroll with touches here and there but achieved very little. That was the game that resulted in MM going back to basics and what happened since hasn't given him any option to change his philosophy. He is quality but he doesn't fit, he's a luxury. At home it's a different matter but unless we can dominate teams on our travels, which we have given no sign of doing, then his value is very limited.

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bomber21 added 20:57 - Oct 22 Just watched playoff final against Barnsley on sky,it actually brought a tear to my eye,to see how far we have dropped from those days when we could pass the ball around and actually find one of your own players,to fight for the ball and play with a smile on your face,we are not down and out yet but the ref is counting.
3

warktheline added 20:57 - Oct 22 Laughable it really is, Hyam were more often than not the forum scapegoat!!! Really hope Berra's ok , McCarthy must play all three centre backs! Sorry gang but when I lose total faith in something the sarcasm comes out in me.
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Keaneish added 22:09 - Oct 22 McGoldrick to start against his old club up front and Chambers to play in his natural position back at the City Ground? Could it just be?
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bennyitfc added 23:48 - Oct 22 @Bomber21 - just watching the Forest highlights (both legs) from last season nearly brought a tear to my eye. I miss Murphy :(
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GiveusaWave added 00:23 - Oct 23 Keaneish Great to see that too. What's the betting that Chambers will be at rb regardless though? Maybe Piotr (who was good in the cup) will get his first full debut if Berra isn't fit. We all know MM and his need to not make too many changes to the back 4. Like others, concerned by both our full-backs. Knudsen has a great throw but lacks pace and this is a league full of pacey , wannabe Premiership wingers. Without Fraser we do look desperately average now. I don't believe we have a stronger squad this year. Mings, Chaplow,Anderson seem better than Knudsen,Coke,Toure. We have more players,but less quality.

2

BrettenhamBlue added 05:03 - Oct 23 Huge pressure on Mighty Mick to get this right. Does he stick with Gerken in goal? Chambers at right wing back? Knudsen on the left? Coke in midfield? Douglas in midfield? Toure on the wing? Mick has never been under more pressure at ITFC. Warktheline's hit the nail on the head. Hyam is no Messiah and he can't be expected to be a superhero in the centre when he's a solid player at best. We lack a Williams or a Dos Santos. We have a squad which amazingly ended up in 6th spot last season due to Using the old Wimbledon system of play (minus Vinnie Jones). Murphy was sensational then but he's lost his touch and seems to be jumping much less. On the positive side Pittman works hard and looks a handful. Mcgoldrick is a different class especially at home. Knudsen is ok. Coke played the best game he's probably played in a decade against Hull. COYB!

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Keaneish added 07:36 - Oct 23 I think we're all secretly keeping our fingers crossed that Berra isn't fit, Guentchev. Has been a shadow of the player he was last season ever since his sending off at Norwich. I feel an injury is the only way Mick will break up that partnership.
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rickw added 09:13 - Oct 23 Steelmonkey - they did get relegated, but he also won their player of the year award from that position, ok it's only saying he was the best of a bad bunch, but if people aren't happy with the full backs we have playing at the moment then we need to try something different. On another note it seems Hyam and Anderson have improved a lot since they got injured/released!!! Earlier this year they were the scapegoats here! Truth is all our players can do a decent job when used in the right way in a balanced team

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