Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that midfielders Cole Skuse and Jonathan Douglas are fit to travel to Bolton today ahead of Tuesday’s game at the Macron Stadium, but striker Daryl Murphy remains a doubt.

Skuse has missed the last four games with a toe ligament problem, while Douglas was ruled out of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest with a badly cut foot and Murphy was sidelined with a calf strain.

“I’m hoping that he’s come through his training sessions,” McCarthy said regarding Skuse. “He trained yesterday and was fine. I’m very hopeful he’ll be OK.

“We’ll see how Murph is today. I’ve a lingering hope that we might be able to get him on the bench but if he’s not fully right we won’t involve him. Dougie will be fine, he’ll train today.”

Midfielder Kevin Bru was subbed at half-time on Saturday as he was being sick, but McCarthy says he’s made a swift recovery.

“Lazarus is fine!” the Town boss laughed. “I rang him yesterday and was expecting a very groggy, sick-sounding Kevin Bru and he was as bright as anything, he was on his way in and he was fine.

“It was obviously something he just had to get out of his system. He was great. He’ll be fine. I’m delighted as well because I thought Kevin played very well in the first half.”

Former Bolton loanee Giles Coke is expected to return to training after his knee injury later this week.

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 15:57 - Mar 7 Essexboy.You will be pleased to know that Foley was a free agent when signed at beginning of year until end of season;so he is our player. Beattiesballbag-I agree that Skuse shouldn't be an automatic shoo in tomorrow,as he has been in the past,for the reasons you enunciate. Hogster-This has been mentioned before,and by me.Nothing to do with Firefox,but like you suspect something to do with pop ups? Hope Mick keeps the same team,as do many on here;but if any players not 100% fit,as was case when Ryan Fraser last played;then they shouldn't play,Chambers included. Noticed on Saturday that despite our win,could have been so different if the Tricky Trees had taken their chances better.ie 2 misses,3 Bart saves plus woodwork. I am sure that Mick is well aware of dangers posed,especially as most teams tend to play on our right side, which they and I feel is our most vunerable side,now that Knudsens game has improved. However should have enough to overcome bottom side;especially if Foley etc play as well as Saturday. Heres hoping !

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Nazemariner added 16:00 - Mar 7 I despair at some of the people that comment on here! Quite frankly I blame SKY TV for the lack of footballing knowledge possessed by the average fan these days. To suggest that Skuse is a luxury player, when he is quite the opposite, is simply ridiculous. He is an important player for Ipswich, and quite rightly will come straight back into the team. Foley had one decent game and is all of a sudden our best holding midfielder.......WHAT??? He is a right back playing out of position!

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muccletonjoe added 16:49 - Mar 7 Foley and hyam looked the best pairing i have seen in the middle
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happybeingblue added 17:28 - Mar 7 :) not sure you can blame sky for peoples opinions ...the coverage of sky and motd is first class but i do agree that foley is a right back playing out of position who is obviously a footballer so hence he can adapt, i think we have forgotten what its like to have a ball playing midfielder in the magilton mould who demands the ball, that has been an issue for season on season except for decent loan players we bring in ie williams bullard etc we have been starved for some time of any real midfield quality and thats not having a pop at any of the current crop who do a fair job

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Joe439 added 17:56 - Mar 7 Although skis is a delight to watch, Foley and Hyam impressed on Saturday, both deserve to keep there places. Also there was no hoof ball on saturday, that was a first. Different class!
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blueboy1981 added 19:16 - Mar 7 Let's just leave things as they were on Saturday shall we ? ... and see if we can get into the habit of playing the game on the deck, like we know we can. Couple that, with players in there best positions - and hey ho we could be heading NORTH next season with some confidence .... !!!
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Pettitt10 added 19:22 - Mar 7 Cant believe some of the comments on here. Skuse has been one of our best players since the day he arrived. Yes Foley had a good game on sat but at the end of the day it was against forest, a team that have lost their last 4. and for the comments saying that all skuse does is pass back to the back four, did you see the game?! Foley did it far more. Big fan of Foley nonetheless but come on, him over skuse? please

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Keaneish added 19:48 - Mar 7 I'm with those who think Skuse needs to work his way back in the team. I don't think he's done anywhere near enough this season to be regarded as an automatic selection. Fraser and Sears, yes. Not Skuse. I think he's been coasting for a while. I'd like to see him left out to get the bit between his teeth again. In recent games I've seen him drift in and out of games too much and we need better to push on. We need someone to boss it.

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HarryS_H added 21:44 - Mar 7 I'd personally be interested in seeing us play 433 which was one of the reasons why we got to the playoffs last season. At times we were unstoppable playing that formation and with foley and ham both playing well and Skuse to add in for stability, it could give our front 3 whoever it is (maybe freddy, brett and pringle) a bit more freedom to play the football we've been wishing for all season

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HarryS_H added 21:45 - Mar 7 Ham is meant to be hyam BTW!!
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Warkys_Tash added 21:50 - Mar 7 You can all debate Skuse & the should he get straight back in, shouldn't he but in reality it's a waste of breath. We all know McCarthy will start him if he is fit tomorrow night - end of. As for Foley, yes he had a decent game & his determination & ball winning. Set-up Pringle for the winner. Comparing him to Magilton, are you serious?? My worry is he came in as a MM desperation signing on a free, had no club is aright back &realise straight I our team at Centre mid. How desperate are we? - and that's no disrespect to KF as I would like to see him at RB - he can last he ball about, something we have be crying out for. From the back. Missed the Leeds game, so I would say it was the best passing football ai have seen the team play this season AND on the deck! One final point, for anyone who thinks we are better without Murph or he is to blame for us playing long ball is completely bonkers! The manager needs to instruct the players to pass it to feet or in space, but definitely short & on the ground more often!

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TimmyH added 22:40 - Mar 7 If it ain't broke it don't need fixin' - same as Saturday please Mick, whether this will be the case...
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bohslegend added 00:51 - Mar 8 I'm delighted for Foley. He's always been a good pro. MM did have him at Wolves and if I recall there were howls of derision and claims that MM was picking "one of his favourites again". Hmmm, free transfer, playing very well (especially when we have had so many injuries) I think the manager should get some credit for a change from a few of the critics. I'd say I'll be waiting a long time for that to happen.

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RyanKerry added 14:57 - Mar 8 If he was to change anything I'd personally bring in Varney for Pitman as Varney seems to put in 100% every time he is on the pitch and Pitman is more of an impact of the bench . Praying that Douglas doesn't start.
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