Town boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop are closing in on a return to action after their lengthy absences with hamstring injuries.

Bishop, 19, has been out of the first-team picture since pre-season initially due to shin splints - which also hampered him at the end of last season - and then a persistent hamstring injury.

The Cambridge-born youngster played for the U21s at Birmingham in mid-September, then in the home game against Crystal Palace at the end of October but hasn’t been involved since.

McGoldrick missed most of the second half of last season with a troublesome thigh problem, having been out of action for the final months of the previous campaign after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Irish international has had a stop-start 2015/16 due to a number of injuries, which have restricted him to eight starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring three goals.

After returning to action following a groin problem in mid-December, the 28-year-old, who signed a new contract tying him to Town until 2018 earlier in the campaign, tore a hamstring in training.

But McCarthy says he’s now well on the road to recovery: “Fingers crossed. It’s not going to be this week, but Didz is making a very good recovery with the treatment he’s having. He’s back in the building now and is quite optimistic.

“I think he’s got a real carrot at the end of this season with the European Championships.

“Don’t anybody get me wrong and say, ‘He should be playing for us!’. That’s a carrot. He’s got to play for us to get in the European Championship team.

“He wants to be back here, he wants to play. It’ll be a great summer for him if he could go to France with Ireland.

I'm getting there 😆⚽️😛– Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) February 1, 2016

“It might be the end of March, but we’ve got seven games in April and, who knows, it could be just the right time.”

Regarding Bishop, who tweeted a message which suggested he is also making good progress earlier in the week, McCarthy added: “Bish, he might be before that, I hope. He’s just had such a tough time and I feel for the both of them.”

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 06:05 - Feb 4 Can't wait for bishop to make a return
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filobiz added 06:05 - Feb 4 great news, 2 fantastic players. keep pushing on TOWN!!
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Sir_Bob added 06:09 - Feb 4 Great news. Arguably the best two players with 'footballing' ability that we have (Fraser aside). These two could keep us in the top 6
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Flewitt85 added 07:00 - Feb 4 All positive news! But will they play? Will MM replace Douglas for bish? As MM has said many times he thinks Douglas is top class!! Will mcgoldrick get in the team? With the likes of Murphy, Frazier, maitland-niles and pitman. I for 1 hope them 2 do get in the first 11 and if we are still around the playoffs then we have got a great chance!! COYB!!
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iaintaylorx added 07:06 - Feb 4 Great news. Alongside Bru, Searsy and Fraser, two players who can bring an attractive flair to our games!!
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iaintaylorx added 07:06 - Feb 4 Add AMN to that too! ^^
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therein61 added 07:14 - Feb 4 We have missed these two more than most it will be like 2 new signings and they like to play football on the ground!
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beornioblue added 07:23 - Feb 4 This will be the missing link in the team sorted maybe this is why such a quiet transfer window? Because mm surely can't be thinking our midfield is ok? Pls let it be quick didz and bishop could be all the difference
4

Keaneish added 07:32 - Feb 4 The difference between us making us top 6 and not. Can't wait to see them both playing again fully fit.
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bigolconnor added 07:58 - Feb 4 Well the fact that these two haven't really been playing all season and we are still in the top six is a miracle. Should make the football a little more attractive to watch.
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DurhamTownFan added 07:58 - Feb 4 Agreed, they have a massive role to play but only IF FIT. I'm worried MCG will never play more than a few games at a time. Injuries have followed him his whole career. Feel sorry for him because it's Not his fault, and he's probably our most naturally skilful player
4

prebsa added 08:07 - Feb 4 Arguably 2 of our best players, they are both so gifted and really could link our forward and midfield together! They both have a very cool head and can pick passes out that no one else in the team can in my opinion. As soon as these two are fit the we have to be fitting them into the side!
4

essex57 added 08:11 - Feb 4 Great to get Bishop don't think MGD has been half the player he was since the knee injury and his failure to move to Leicester.
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Bluebell added 08:14 - Feb 4 Great news about both of them. We definitely need Bish in midfield and have missed Didzy as he plays so well off Murphy's flick ons. Hopefully they will both come back fit and raring to go and like Hyam will be able to get back to how they both were they when at their best.
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ArnieM added 08:14 - Feb 4 Think this is why MM is not jumping to bring anyone else in. Bit of risk tbh because Didsy is very likely to get injured again, and Bishop probably needs the remainder of the season out to ensure he starts next season totally injury free. ....and I agree with you essex57 , McG has never got over that knee injury, nor will he in terms of total fitness. He's damaged goods unfortunately.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:23 - Feb 4 Permit me to be a bit pessimistic, but I'll believe it when I see it. Obviously wish them both well, however, as they would definitely add a dimension we seem to be sadly missing at the moment.
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blueherts added 08:56 - Feb 4 Yep as squad with Sears , Fraser , AMN , Bru , Bish and Dids in it is suddenly one with some very good technical players Like afew though , I think Dids has not been the same since the knee injury end of last season - Bish , has it all ahead of him, I hope ,as he is a quality player I still think we do need to add a Creative player- maybe a loanee - but these will be like new signings - as long as we can get em back in next six weeks for the 'final push'

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Fatcatevans added 09:06 - Feb 4 Huge Bishop fan here but Micks been saying we will see him virtually every month. I think he's on a gap year.
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PJH added 09:09 - Feb 4 When we get one or both of these back and fit we will have a very strong 18 available. Good news.
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SohoBlue added 09:18 - Feb 4 Great news. And confirmed my gut feel. McCarthy is managing the books and weighing up the options by sticking to the loan market IF we need cover. As he clearly stated, there were very few options to improve the squad for the money he had available or was likely to get. These two returning are indeed like new signings on the horizon. Let's hope they get fit quickly! Happily he's also got a win and we've pushed back into playoff contention. The roller coaster is heading up...! We'll have some serious work to do this summer if we do get promoted, however...but let's see how it plays out and back the lads to give it everything, as they do, rather than endlessly pick over the hoofball faults (a means to an end relative to lots of factors). COYB!!!

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bluey123 added 09:31 - Feb 4 Anyone who thinks either player will get in the side living on another planet McGoldrick has done nothing to suggest he should play and Bishop has no hope as he is the best footballer at the club not counting loans. Who do you think McCarthy would leave out surely not the fabulous Skuse or The great Douglas of course you can leave out game changer on Tuesday Bru because super Mick has to pick ultra cautious team against the top opposition we face like Rotherham PNE and of course the mighty Reading as McCarthy stated they are an excellent side.

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ArnieM added 10:04 - Feb 4 Yawwwwwn !
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vanmunt added 10:04 - Feb 4 Agree with all the above... so looking forward to seeing Teddy back.
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muccletonjoe added 10:10 - Feb 4 As long as bishop is ready by Notts forest in March, we could get the benefit of having him back in the side for the last dozen games
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DebenBlue added 10:20 - Feb 4 Whilst it would be great to see both McGoldrick and Bishop back in the 1st team and squad and they will add quality in depth, am I the only one that thinks this is a bit of a PR exercise from MM and/or the club following the lack of investment in January. MM states above that it might not be until End of March before Didzy is available and then he has to get up to match fitness. It is great news that both are on the right road to recovery but when will they be truly MATCH fit and at there best. Lets hope we do make the play offs because that is when I see them making a big impact, but if we don't we may well regret not getting short term replacements in the Jan window.

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