Town boss Mick McCarthy says Ryan Fraser, Luke Hyam and Daryl Murphy should all be fine to face QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday, despite suffering minor knocks during Tuesday’s 2-1 home victory over Reading.

“They’re all OK,” he said. “We had a few knocks. Ryan had a tight hamstring and Luke Hyam had a sore calf, Murph had a kick on his foot but they are all expected to train tomorrow and be fit for Saturday.”

He says keeper Dean Gerken, who suffered a shoulder injury at Birmingham a fortnight ago, is not too far off a return to fitness: “Gerks is all right. It will take the time that we said. We’re looking at the Hull game [two weeks next Tuesday].

"Having that cup game missing [the Blackburn match has moved due to their involvement in the FA Cup] has probably done us a favour with goalkeepers.

"There was no way I was going to get another keeper in to sit on the bench, as I explained to you, that doesn't work. If I needed one to go straight in then we'd get one.

"That's done us a favour that, so he should be fit for the Hull game."

McCarthy says he’s putting no timescale on the returns of David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop, longer-term absentees with hamstring problems.

“I’ll know when they’re ready, we'll just keep the training and rehab going,” the Town manager added.

“I’ve spoken them both today and they’re both happy with their rehab and the timing of it and where they’re at. I’m not one to rush them, it’ll be when they’re ready.”

Town will again be without midfielder Jonathan Douglas at Loftus Road as he will be serving the second game of his three-game ban.

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 14:31 - Feb 4 Don't risk Fraiser if Hamstring a problem. Would rather rest him for a game tham lose him for 6.
1

Surco72 added 14:49 - Feb 4 If the defence continue to look more comfortable with Bart behind them and we continue to win , will Gerken be brought back in ?
15

Green_Army added 14:50 - Feb 4 Gerken will have to win his place back right? Going by Tuesday's performance Bart didn't put a foot wrong (except one quickly taken free kick in the first half that went out of play). He was dropped, in my opinion unfairly, earlier this season and deserved to be reinstated straight away. For me Bart is more comfortable in goal and defensively we look more capable. It can't be one rule for one, one rule for another Mick...

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Westy added 15:09 - Feb 4 Bart played well against Reading and the players are confident with him behind them. If, when Gerken is fit again, McCarthy picks him as his first choice it will go against everything he said his criteria for selection, that is, if a keeper comes in for whatever reason and dies well, he should keep his place.
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Westy added 15:11 - Feb 4 I meant to say 'does well' not 'dies well'.
1

terryf added 15:12 - Feb 4 Maybe someone should tell MM that the Hull game is down for the 23rd not the 16th...unless they've changed the date?
1

Count_Arthur added 15:23 - Feb 4 Bart starts season as No. 1 keeper Bart loses his father Mick says "take compassionate leave" Gerkin steps in Gerkin has TERRIBLE run in goal Bart ready to return Gerkin keeps his place Gerkin gets injured Bart steps in Bart does well Gerkin gets fit Gerkin returns Disgusting. If I was Bart I'd ask for a mutually terminated contract too along with all the others.
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PhilTWTD added 15:24 - Feb 4 terryf My error, forgot the free Saturday when looking at the fixture list. Amended. Two weeks next Tuesday.
0

Pessimistic added 15:26 - Feb 4 That was his father Westy.
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BlueKush added 15:35 - Feb 4 That hasn't happened yet Arthur but it's been very harsh on Bart so far this season. When Gerken was having a stinker, Mick said that "possession is 9/10ths of the law". Bart's place should be safe if he continues to play well. We've got 10 points from 12 with Bart in goal this season, and it's not a coincidence.
9

phillo added 16:25 - Feb 4 Agree with all the posts re Bart & goalkeeping position ............ that was what stood out to me in what Mick said here ......... he's "seems" to be talking as if Gerks is no1 & when he is fit he comes in which as others have said is NOT what happened before & NOT what Mick's reason's where for it. This - in my view - is a real test of Mick's credibility & honesty ...... hope he passes by staying true to his word.

4

ArnieM added 16:30 - Feb 4 Bart didnt have anything to do Tuesday night to judge him by....nor did the defence tbh. Barts kicking was suspect at times, from memory kicking the ball into touch from dead ball situations on 2 or 3 occassions . All in all there isn't much to choose between either GK. .
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Green_Army added 17:31 - Feb 4 Just looking through a few numbers for both goalkeepers and who 'statistically' should be number one (make the decision for yourself) - League games only: Bialkowski: Average Points Won (per game): 2.5 Average Goals Conceded (per game): 1.0 Average Opponent Attempts at Goal (per game): 12.2 Average Opponent Shots on Goal (per game): 3.7 Average Opponent Corners (per game): 5.5 Average Saves (per game): 2.8 Average Saves to Opponent Shots on Goal ratio: 73.3% Gerken: Average Points Won (per game): 1.52 Average Goals Conceded (per game): 1.28 Average Opponent Attempts at Goal (per game): 12.6 Average Opponent Shots on Goal (per game): 3.9 Average Opponent Corners (per game): 4.8 Average Saves (per game): 2.6 Average Saves to Opponent Shots on Goal ratio: 68.0% In summery a few things to take from this: > We are unbeaten with Bialkowski in goal (3 wins and 1 draw). > We have a 40% win rate with Gerken in goal (10 wins from 25). > We concede on average 0.28 goals more per game with Gerken in goal. > We face both less opponent shots and shots on goal with Bialkowski in goal per game. > We concede 0.66 less corners per game with Gerken in goal. > Bialkowski saves 73.3% of shots face compared to Gerken's 68.0% That is all.

7

planetblue_2011 added 17:40 - Feb 4 We all know Murphy will play sat but think it's about time Pitman gets a start. Come on Bart hold your number 1 spot down fella!!
5

jas0999 added 17:50 - Feb 4 Was far more impressed with Bart than I have been Gerken, but the writing is on the wall for Bart as MM refers to Gerken as Gerks, so he is a nailed on starter! Thank goodness these three are likely to be fit as our squad is looking some what weak considering the longer term absentees. The fringe players aren't good enough so a couple of injuries could prove very costly. Makes our lack of transfer activity look even more disappointing. Still, as MM States, he didn't have a budget to really add any improvement. Shame on Evans.

1

Lion added 18:04 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:04 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:04 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
1

Lion added 18:04 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:05 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:05 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:05 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:05 - Feb 4 In my opinion,Mm is keeping garvan motivated to get fit and Bart motivated to prove he should be N0 1. He just said Garvan should be fit for hull game, he didn't say he would start. I think that is the right thing to do. If Bart continues to play well and doesn't get injured or Ill he will probably keep his place.
0

Lion added 18:07 - Feb 4 Sorry for posting 8 times, my smashed up phone is basically Fubar8-}
0

Green_Army added 18:22 - Feb 4 ...and it's Gerken not Garvan, he left a while back!
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