Town boss Mick McCarthy is pleased that his squad now has the strength in depth to allow him to make changes without weakening his team as he did ahead of the 1-0 at Brighton on Tuesday.

In previous seasons McCarthy has been happy with his first XI but has admitted he felt less confident in his squad players, while his options have been limited during recent months due to injuries.

While David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop remain sidelined with hamstring problems, Ryan Fraser is back after a knee injury which kept him out for more than two months and Luke Hyam after almost 11 months out, also with a knee problem, having spent a month on loan at Rotherham.

Luke Varney has signed a contract until the end of the season having recovered from the ruptured achilles he suffered in the play-offs and Kevin Bru (hamstring) and Jonny Parr (calf) are back from more minor injuries.

Prior to Tuesday’s game Town had been unchanged for six matches but Fraser and Bru came into the team for Brett Pitman, who dropped to the bench, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who missed out with a foot problem. The on-loan Arsenal man is over that injury and will travel to Burnley for Saturday’s game.

“Jonny Parr’s been out for a couple of weeks, maybe not quite as long as that but he’s back training, that’s great,” the Town manager said.

“Being able to bring players back is fantastic, to give some of them a rest, a break otherwise you just keep whipping the same horses and you end up with injuries.

“It was nice to have the quality to be able to change it on Tuesday night, certainly Ryan Fraser coming back in doesn’t weaken any team and Kevin Bru coming back in doesn’t weaken any team. It helps with the tactics, the way we set up, as well.”

He added: “It’s remiss of me not to mention Luke Hyam, he’s been great. He had his games up at Rotherham, he played a 90 minutes before there so he was ready to play and you could see that when he came on at Brighton.

“I thought he did a great job, he was terrific. He just gave us the legs and the impetus. They started [the second half] really well and putting him on helped steady the ship.”

Having got back in first team action, Hyam will be hoping to play a big part in the side during the second half of the season.

“I’m not really bothered who plays a big part in it, as long as we’re successful,” McCarthy admitted.

“I’m hoping he’s come back and he’s fully fit and he’s going to be one of the players and he’s going to contribute, and I’ve no doubt he will because he’s such a great character and a great pro.

“I thought he really did well the other night, playing where he did. And then he went and played on the right because they were trying to double up on Chambo and he helped there. It’s great to have him back.”

Mauritius international Bru hit the post twice at Brighton and McCarthy says the Blues staff have been encouraging him to get into the box more often.

“Bru was very unlucky not to score and it’s something that we picked out, as TC and me do, from the analysis that we did, where he runs when he’s playing,” he said.

“He has a tendency to pull out for a shot back or to stay out and we’ve asked him to run in the centre of goal and get in there because he’s got real quality, Kevin Bru.

“It’s getting him in the right areas, but he played further forward on Tuesday night, so that helped him, but he’s got real good quality, he’s a good finisher when you see him in training.”

Meanwhile, he says he’s not yet considered sending any of his more senior fringe players, such as Jay Tabb or Giles Coke, whose involvement has been limited so far this season, out on loan.

“I’ve not given that too much thought,” he said. “I’ve been more concerned with getting players back and I’ll deal with any requests as they may or may not come in. But I’m happy with the squad I’ve got.”

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 08:49 - Jan 1 Once we get bish and didz back,then we have a decent squad no doubt about that. Keep them all fit and we have a chance
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bluefeast added 09:06 - Jan 1 Cant accolade them all ,just pick the very best 11 for each game ,playing players in their best positions. Pitman will score vs Burnley .
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jas0999 added 10:14 - Jan 1 There is little doubt we have more options than last season. But will the likes of Coke and Toure get you promoted? If McGoldrick and Bishop were available, then I'd agree we look decent in terms of quality, but with those two out and very injury prone, for me we still lack those decent quality players. Last season we finished the season with just two fit strikers, who were burnt out. Let's not make the same mistake. Think we lack that creative, goal scoring central midfielder, whilst Parrs injury record leaves us exposed if Chambers picks up and injury. The youngsters aren't ready and will probably be out at loan. Would like to see a couple of additions, even if half season loans. Others will strengthen. So should we.

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blueherts added 11:04 - Jan 1 I think we have a great squad compared to last year and I know we cannot match the bigger championship clubs - but an injury to one of our starting XI will def leave us short I think a midfieder - maybe look at Moncur at Colchester or a striker - Davies or Grigg at Wigan ? Clough at Bolton ? maybe not cost alot - I would love to see Dids and Bish back in the squad but seems they are having some set backs ? Love how we are doing but would be nice to have couple more options Moncur and Sears would prob have good understanding

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TimmyH added 11:08 - Jan 1 You have to look at Hyam, Bish, Bru, Parr and McG all have consistent injury problems - without them the squad doesn't look anywhere near as good - without doubt in my mind we need strengthening if we are serious about getting promoted. As jas said a goal scoring creative midfielder and cover for either full back is a minimum requirement. Can I see it happening? well after Mick has come out with this I very much doubt it...expect another 'quiet' January transfer window as other clubs strengthen.

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blueherts added 11:33 - Jan 1 I think the Pompey game may show us how good some of the squad players are - expect afew to rest - deservedly and I would like to see McDonnell have a run out in midfield
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blueboy1981 added 16:41 - Jan 1 ..... yes, we have strength in depth - this can be enhanced further by playing players in their rightful, preferred, and best position. Not forgetting to be a bit more attack minded too - WE HAVE THE POWER. Maybe a New Year resolution for you Mr M.
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afrodids added 16:47 - Jan 1 I'd be very surprised if bishop plays again this season and DMG is too injury prone. ME made the mistake of not strengthening the side when we were in a better position last year! Make some money available if you really want this side in the PL and show us all you mean business, tired of this ffp BS!
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bohslegend added 21:34 - Jan 1 It's actually a credit to the manager and the owner (to a lesser extent) that we have a squad which finds itself in 6th at the turn of the year despite all the injuries to key players we've had. That for me shows we have used the strength of the squad well up to this point to maintain our challenge for the top 6 or better. In reality, how strong a squad can we realistically expect to have on a shoestring budget and how much better a position would that assure us of? I'm thinking there are several other bigger, more expensive squads further down the league wishing they had our position.

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