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McCarthy Names Team and Hands Digby Debut
Friday, 8th Jan 2016 13:54

Town boss Mick McCarthy has named his team for Saturday’s third round FA Cup tie against Portsmouth at Portman Road and will hand a debut to new loan signing Paul Digby at the heart of the defence. Digby, 20, joined the Blues on loan from Barnsley for the season last week.

“Our team tomorrow is Bart, Luke Chambers, Jonas Knudsen, Piotr Malarczyk, Paul Digby, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Tommy Oar, Skusey, Luke Hyam, Brett Pitman and Luke Varney,” McCarthy revealed at this afternoon’s press conference.

The Town manager says midfielder Jonathan Douglas, who missed last week’s 0-0 draw at Burnley with a knee problem, is on the mend and should be OK to be in the 18, although striker Daryl Murphy will miss out.

“Dougie’s trained today and he’s all right for the squad but that’s his first day training because we could train yesterday because the pitches were flooded,” McCarthy added.

“Larsen Touré’s been out on the pitch today training [having been out with a groin problem] and Murph’s got a bit of a calf which will prevent him from being involved tomorrow.

“I hope [it won’t be a problem for Leeds on Tuesday], I hope there’s nothing to worry about and he is OK and I think he will be. But he hasn’t trained today, I’m hoping he’ll train on Sunday.”

Kevin Bru is unlikely to be in the 18 having suffered with a hamstring problem after the Burnley game, while David McGoldrick - who McCarthy expects to be out for another six weeks - and Teddy Bishop remain on the sidelines with their hamstring injuries.

One notable absentee from the XI is Jonny Parr, a target of Norwegian side Strømsgodset, and we understand talks are still ongoing regarding the full-back’s potential switch.

McCarthy confirmed that right-back Josh Emmanuel is back at the club but says that the 18-year-old could return to his loan club Crawley.

“I’ve not heard from [Crawley manager] Mark Yates, although Josh did suggest to me that they wanted him back but if they do then they need to speak to me,” he added.

Cameron Stewart has also returned to Portman Road but McCarthy says the winger, who currently has a back injury, will be going back out on loan.

“He’ll be going somewhere else on loan or back to Doncaster, I’ve not spoken to them,” the Town boss confirmed.

Regarding Alex Henshall, who hasn’t been involved in the first team this season, he added: “He’s free to leave, he has been free to leave for the last I don’t know how many months, since I last spoke about him.

"He’s just not made it here, simple as that, not good enough to get in the team, so if that’s the case it’s time to leave and go and earn a living somewhere else, and I hope he does and I’m sure he will.”

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Malarczyk, Digby, Knudsen, Skuse, Hyam, Maitland-Niles, Oar, Pitman, Varney.

Photo: ITFC


Photo: Action Images



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hampstead_blue added 14:12 - Jan 8
The honesty is to be admired and congratulated.

I love MM
6

CalneBlue added 14:15 - Jan 8
Not a great deal of pace in that team, particularly up front. Also not sure about the benefit of naming it so early. The comment on Henshall's a bit blunt - not great for a young player's confidence and a tad surprising from a manager often praised for his man management skills.
0

StowTractorBoy added 14:18 - Jan 8
Still a very useful line up and hopefully good enough to see off Pompey but don't think it will be a stroll in the park with 2500 baying Pompey fans cheering their team on. MM obviously has great faith in Digby to throw him in straightaway and great that Luke Hyam gets a chance to impress. Hope Bart has a good game after being out in the cold for so long. Looking forward to it.
7

itsonlyme added 14:23 - Jan 8
Henshall must really have pissed off McCarthy big time. Not heard him talk so disparaging about a player for a very long time. Shame when a young player does not make it at our club, it is very disappointing! With regards to Pompey, we need to win this one. A good cup run does wonders for everyone at any club! Please be good enough to win this you blues!
4

vanmunt added 14:34 - Jan 8
Seen it all to often with players like Henshall, very rare for a young player to turn it around after dropping down from a top club. That's why players like Mings and hopefully this Digby guy are better bets.
2

matty81 added 14:43 - Jan 8
The line up is stronger than many predicted thus it has been announced to try and sell more tickets as no tickets on the turnstiles.
2

SW1_Blue added 14:51 - Jan 8
It'll be nice to see Luke Hyam running his hand through his hair every ten seconds. I've missed that.
7

Bert added 14:55 - Jan 8
Line up as expected for a cup game against lower opposition except pleasant surprise to include Digby. Gets fringe players on but retains strength and experience. As others have said it will not be easy with 2,500 Portsmouth supporters acting as the 12th man. North Stand needs to compete !
1

DurhamTownFan added 14:55 - Jan 8
Shame Emmanuel hasn't been given a game, but MM probably wanted to keep Chambers in since the two CBs might be a bit shaky/rusty.

Parr is off: simple as. If he was in MM's plans, he'd start this game at LB
2

Priskin9 added 15:09 - Jan 8
Sensible selection! We need the core of the side rested and fit for two very important home league games next week! Should still beat Portsmouth comfortably!
4

cooper4england added 15:09 - Jan 8
Goes to show the depth of our squad that this "2nd" team is not a shambles. Would have liked to see Fraser in so he can continue his match fitness. Still perhaps it means he's fit enough.
2

sidtheswan added 15:13 - Jan 8
Stronger team than I expected . Be nice to get through and get a premier team here again . COYB !
3

Stato added 15:32 - Jan 8
Your chance to show us what you're all about Tommy Oar
3

Jimmy86 added 15:39 - Jan 8
Think Mick's comments about Henshall are a bit off to be honest. People praise Mick's honesty and man management skills, but those comments just proved maybe they aren't quite as good as people make out. Henshall seemingly came back to pre season with a good attitude and impressed Mick, guess he never kicked on.

A better team than I was expecting, mix of fringe players and first team players
2

Len_Brennan added 15:54 - Jan 8
It's probably the right team for this game. With the new centre half pairing & the return of Bart Mick had to keep the fullbacks for some continuity. What is clear though is that Jonny Parr is on his way out, which leaves us really short at full back, on both sides.
We have 2 impressive youngsters coming through who look likely to be Championship quality, but for right here & now we need to sign experienced players even if it costs a fee. Chambers & Knudsen are both potential liabilities against top wingers, losing Parr go makes little sense without insider information.
I liked the look of Malarczyk against Man Utd, his positioning & timing looked good to me and he was composed. He could have been stronger in the challenge with Rooney for the goal, so hopefully he has added that to his game since. Looking forward to seeing how he does & what Digby is like.
2

ArnieM added 16:14 - Jan 8
Malacheck and Digby our CB pairing of the future
1

ArnieM added 16:14 - Jan 8
Malacheck and Digby our CB pairing of the future
1

ArnieM added 16:14 - Jan 8
Malacheck and Digby our CB pairing of the future
1

theipswichman added 16:30 - Jan 8
What about Matt Clarke and Yowerth? Haven't seen loads of Clarke but Yowerth look very good in the COC earlier in the season.
1

theipswichman added 16:30 - Jan 8
This was a reply to the comment above ^^
0

jas0999 added 16:47 - Jan 8
That team more than good enough to beat Portsmouth. With both Chambers and Knudsen starting it does show our lack of readily available full back options, whilst with Bru and Bishop out we again look light of creative central midfield players. No way should two defence minded players be starting a home game.
2

Seasider added 17:00 - Jan 8
Much as I expected,although perhaps pleasingly a bit stronger,only surprise is Digby.
Only player missing who I thought would be included is Jonny Parr,which pretty much confirms that his days at PR are numbered.
Same goes for Henshall,who has not impressed me,or Mick for that matter when playing in the development team.
Sears and Fraser obviously rested;but Murphy,Stewart,Bru,Toure and Douglas,McGoldrick and Bishop all injured or not fit enough to start;so will be interesting to see subs bench tomorrow.
With Tabby,Coke,Alabi all being available but not in starting eleven,I would be surprised if those three together with Henshall ,Stewart,Parr and probably Toure will all be released or transferred before the start of next season,whichever league we are in.
1

TheJam added 00:10 - Jan 9
Chambers more likely to be centre back with polish pete
0

Warkys_Tash added 00:59 - Jan 9
Wonder what Tabby has done wrong not to even get a game in the cup?? Poor guy. Put in a shift last season for sure.

Henshall comments are unnecessary Mick - don't spoil yourself.
0

muccletonjoe added 06:00 - Jan 9
Not at all sure about that centre back pairing, I suppose if pompey are up for it then they have the opportunity to beat us.
0


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