Town boss Mick McCarthy says it’s lovely to have David McGoldrick available again with the striker set to return to the first-team squad at Newcastle on Saturday.

McGoldrick, who has been out since August having ruptured ankle ligaments in the EFL Cup defeat to Stevenage, returned to match action as the U23s drew 2-2 at Colchester on Tuesday and got on the scoresheet within 90 seconds.

“Of all things he scored a header,” McCarthy said. “And he made the other one with a shot [which hit the post], which Shane McLoughlin scored.

“It’s lovely to have him back and he’ll be in the squad, he’s travelling for Saturday’s game.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says he’s been pleased with McGoldrick’s close friend and former Southampton team-mate Leon Best, who will be looking to open his Town goals account at St James’ Park when he faces another of his old clubs.

The Town boss feels the 30-year-old, who effectively replaced Daryl Murphy after he joined Newcastle in August, is looking sharper with every game and might have netted against Burton Albion.

“He’s got undoubted ability, there’s no doubt about that,” McCarthy said. “I spoke to [Best’s former Rotherham manager] Neil Warnock, he’s a mate of mine and I know he’s of a similar ilk and he’s not going to give me any BS, he’s going to tell me straight.

“And, I think he said that for what was around after we’d sold Murph, after Murph had gone, he was the best I was going to get, no pun intended.

“On a free transfer, he’s big and powerful, he’s quick, he’s got a bit about him. I think if he’d had more games he’d have probably scored on Tuesday.”

Photo: TWTD

Jimmy86 added 06:58 - Oct 20 My only real worry with Didz, is how long will he actually be back for, without getting injured again or have a flare up, with what he's already had. He has that bit of class about him, but is made of glass. Shame Best didn't score the other night, because I think he actually played quite well. Holds the ball up well, is able to play others in, had he not put quite so much on the ball through to Bush 1st half he would prob have scored. He used his chest twice as well and if Knudsen had finished that chance, what a goal that would have been.

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SurreyITFC added 07:17 - Oct 20 Great to have Didz back in the squad. Also fancy Best to break his duck on Saturday.
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Matthew_Crush added 07:29 - Oct 20 Lets hope for a Best and Mcgoldrick partnership that lights the league up , Find form and fitness and they could be deadly together , they really could be
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Brownie added 07:32 - Oct 20 Agree with all the above. Fingers crossed he stays fit but we need him to have a long run in the team.
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LimitlessBlue added 07:50 - Oct 20 reality check. Didz wont stay fit for any length of time and Best really isn't very good.
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hampstead_blue added 07:53 - Oct 20 Interesting quote from Warnock....."the best of what is around"..... in other words, the best of a bad bunch. Lovely that.
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Swn98 added 07:57 - Oct 20 Limitless agree about Didz Think Best will be a good freebie.
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Murphys_Law added 08:04 - Oct 20 Limitless, not sure what game you watched on Tuesday. Best was a handful throughout with a good touch for a big guy. If he'd been a little more selfish he would probably have scored. With some decent service and somebody played alongside him upfront he will be an asset. The return if Didz can only be a positive.
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:41 - Oct 20 good to see Didz back,but i too doubt he will stay fit long enough to be a great benefit.Its a shame but his past record is worrying .As far as Best is concerned , he has yet to prove himself, so not going to write him off.I still think playing Sears in his natural position would be a major influence on Towns goal scoring ability.
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OwainG1992 added 08:41 - Oct 20 Best is showing signs of being decent for us. Didz if we can get 15 fullish games out of him before the end of the season I'd probably take that. Hope for a lot more just not exactly expecting it.
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midastouch added 08:50 - Oct 20 Best has been showing some early promise. Ideally he gets one in the back of the net asap to get him up and running and that should see his confidence soar. I'm keen to see him hook up with DMG to see if they gel given they are good friends too. Murphy wasn't exactly banging them in before he went so Best may not be the step down in quality that some of us feared. Was Murphy a 1 season wonder? You could argue that as he was never prolific in any of his other seasons (apart from his magical 27 return) although he still contributed every season but certainly not to the extent compared to the season he helped fire us into promotion contention. If Best and DMG can get a good partnership going and start to let the goals rain down, then this season may not prove as bad as I feared. The big worry there though of course is should they produce the goods, can they then stay injury free as both have had big problems in that department. Fingers crossed we get a break in that respect as even us McCarthy doubters can't deny the team has been unlucky with key players (such as Ryan Fraser) going down with injuries at the worst possible times. Blue Army!!! :-)

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midastouch added 08:55 - Oct 20 And if not DMG and Best (should DMG end up crocked again) why not partner up Best with Sears to see how they work together. Of course they are going to need more service from midfield but I'm not going to trot that old argument again as it's plain for all to see. I'd also like to see Morris given a run out from the bench as you don't know unless you try. He might be more ready than some of us think.

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Carberry added 09:06 - Oct 20 'he was the best I was going to get'....for no money, he should have added.
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muccletonjoe added 09:06 - Oct 20 We have reached a point now where people who have had enough of mm want to put a negative on everything at the club. I dont like him myself and his team selections are not my idea of the way forward. Having said that he has turned it around in the past and having didz back for however long he stays fit is surely a good thing?
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Ferguson added 09:49 - Oct 20 There are no negatives in having Mc Goldrick back. It's is simply a plus, adding that quality experience and instinct for goal that we've lacked this season. I'm very keen to see how he and Best work together. Fiver on us to beat the Magpies ! COYB
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1RWR added 09:53 - Oct 20 I've said this before, the whole squad IS good enough, including McD & Best & Sears, just need a little belief in our manager to try attacking football for once & leave the negative stuff out! If MM goes I'm ok with that, if he stays & tries to play decent football & get results, that'll do for me!
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brian_a_mul added 10:12 - Oct 20 There may be a bit of complaceny from Newcastle, we now have Bish, Best, DIdz available and that will add a real threat. Its the kind of game where we could nick a 1-0. Plus Freddie will be bouyed by his goal and Ward has been rested. Its the type of game that MM relishes, David vs Goliath. The whole team will be up for this one! COYB!!!
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braveblue added 10:14 - Oct 20 Would like to see Best as good as some say he may become. But he was a free transfer, has never been prolific anywhere and despite his very good touches had not really looked like scoring. There should have been a plan B in place if Murphy left. Obviously not.
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planetblue_2011 added 10:40 - Oct 20 Great Didz is back, but there is the same question what everyone else has answered for how long. Be great to have him fit for the rest of the season. Best is improving & with his mate back let's hope for a deadly partnership. COYB for sat.
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Pilgrimblue added 10:50 - Oct 20 In all top teams it's pairing that is the success so wish MM would now stick with Best/Sears and gradually bring McG into reckoning. That would also mean going 442 with Skuse or Douglas in holding position and Tom in behind front two. Trouble is that MM will revert to 631 this weekend so if we get beat he'll have learnt nothing and we're back to square one. Only way to beat Newcastle is to attack as I don't think they're that secure at the back.

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TimmyH added 11:43 - Oct 20 We've been down this path before...don't hold your breath, anyway not sure he's the same player as a 2/3 seasons ago. Saying that though he will give us options up front.
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runningout added 11:44 - Oct 20 time for McGoldrick to go full pelt now, and not waste his true talent and career...
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Gcon added 12:56 - Oct 20 Reality check. limitless is a troll. Besides that, its refreshing to see the odd positive comment on here. COYB
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:51 - Oct 20 my post marked down by gippeswyk,without any comment of his own being made,obviously he thinks anything he has to say would not go down too well. NICE ONE .
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CambridgeBlue added 22:02 - Oct 20 Can't believe people are being so negative. He's probably our best player, so enjoy every second he's on the pitch, whether that's for one game or a hundred games.
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