Town boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful that midfielder Cole Skuse will be fit for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United after limping off with a toe problem during Tuesday’s 2-0 home victory over Burton Albion and confirmed that David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams will both make the trip to St James’ Park.

“It's a ligament in his foot, in his toe, which he did at QPR last season and he missed a good bit with that, but it’s nowhere as bad as that,” McCarthy said regarding Skuse.

“We’re still hopeful it’ll settle down for Saturday but we’ll wait and see. He’s had a scan and we’re waiting to hear from the consultant.”

McCarthy says McGoldrick, out since August with an ankle ligament injury, and Williams, who was left out of the squad against Burton as a precaution as he had a tight thigh, are both fit and are likely to be among the subs.

“They both trained today, they both looked fine,” he added. “Didzy had his game on Monday, of course [when he scored as the U23s drew 2-2 at Colchester].

“They both trained well, as did Luke Varney, but it might be a bit soon for him, although we’ll see how he feels afterwards. We’re getting players back.

“I’ve no other problems on top of the ones we’ve had, they’re all OK. Jonathan Douglas is OK, he was OK on Tuesday night, he had a bit of fluid on his knee but he would have played.

“I just wanted to play Kevin Bru and Bish in the home game against Burton, who I thought might be hard to break down.”

McCarthy confirmed that Douglas would return to his starting line-up.

Striker Brett Pitman remains sidelined with his ankle injury, while midfielder Luke Hyam (knee) and central defender Tommy Smith (back) are recovering having undergone surgery.

Midfielder Giles Coke is also among those recovering after going under the surgeon's knife, the 30-year-old recently having had an operation on his knee. The ex-Sheffield Wednesday man previously had surgery on the other knee at the end of last season.

Third-choice keeper Michael Crowe is facing a spell on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in the U23s game at Colchester on Monday and he might also require an operation.

Photo: TWTD

Bluebell added 14:11 - Oct 20 Great news about Didzy and Williams. Hopefully, if the team Mick selects isn't doing well, they can get about 20 minutes first team action as subs.It will be a great boost to the crowd to see them both. Having another striker will mean Mick doesn't have to rely on Sears and Best all the time. We also need Skuse there. I know people moan about him but we don't play well without him. Hopefully after Tuesday's win, Douglas won't automatically be selected.

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BlueHarwich added 14:28 - Oct 20 So we play well with Skuse then Bluebell? I must have been watching different games to you this season, because you can count on half a hand how many times we've "played well" this season. On Tuesday he was caught in possession on numerous occasions, ghosted round like he didn't exist and until injured was one tackle away from a red card. This all against BURTON!
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hoppy added 14:53 - Oct 20 "Hopefully after Tuesday's win, Douglas won't automatically be selected." It's not what it sounds like... "McCarthy confirmed that Douglas would return to his starting line-up" If Skuse is out, fair enough, and on this seasons performances, I'd have him in over Bru if it was a straight selection between those two. However, with Grant, Lawrence, Williams, Bishop, Ward all available I'd rather have either/or Skuse if fit, or Douglas in there, and then make up the rest of the midfield from that lot. Ive been very disappointed with Bru this season, and not really sure what he offers at the moment.

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MattinLondon added 15:30 - Oct 20 I take it that Skuse's injury was as a result of him running with the ball or actually moving
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gippeswyk added 15:44 - Oct 20 Skuse is one of our best players. Maybe not the prettiest to watch but essential for breaking up play in midfield and is a great reader of the game. An unsung hero in my book.
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Vizslaraner added 15:45 - Oct 20 More rubbish, Burton hard to break down! I wouldn't knock burton as they pass it about nicely and would have buried us if they had a front man. I would have thought he would have played bishop in most games as different class dougie wouldn't know how to pass forward, let alone open up defences. I think it's more a case of he knew he had to win as we won't get anything Saturday. He then proceeds with his normal arrogance as though he's a tactical genius, something he most definitely isn't. Douglas back Saturday, god help us on that big pitch with all that quality, just hope they show this idiot up for what he is.

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Bluetone added 15:50 - Oct 20 Quote "McCarthy confirmed that Douglas would return to his starting line-up." Will this clown never learn.
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Ferguson added 16:04 - Oct 20 I'll use another McCarthy line. As far as Saturday's concerned, we can "Nick it" on Saturday. And although he's not my favourite player Chambers does have a team around him. Newcastle will throw the kitchen sink down the right side but, as on Tuesday night when he got done, this team covers for Chambers when needed - and for each other. And our keeper's getting better all the time. 0-1 TO THE TOWN. MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE TRACTORBOYS.

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Cakeman added 16:29 - Oct 20 MattinLondon......Skues's injury possibly down to him stubbing his toe on the half-way line. It would be in chartered territory beyond that 😉
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Michael11 added 16:57 - Oct 20 To confirm that Douglas is starting is terrible management. Where's the incentive for our midfielders to work hard in training and take their chance when it's given when they know damn well all his pals will return to the first team anyway.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:59 - Oct 20 MM says he wanted to play Bru and Bish against Burton because he thought they would be hard to break down .......so they will be playing Saturday then one would assume ,unless he thinks Newcastle will be easier .
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prebbs007 added 17:08 - Oct 20 Dinosaur confirms Douglas will return to starting line up on Saturday. You're an utter numbskull. We need to play football not hoofball. Our midfield should be ward grant bish Lawrence, with Joniesta and Didz in front of that when fit. That front six is fluid, creative, has pace, quality, passing, set piece ability and skill. The preferred front 6 this season has been ward skuglas bru sears best. That group has no comparison, unless we are trying to not lose rather than win games. Yes it's Newcastle away but so what. It's a freebie game. We're expected to get stuffed so go there take game to them and see if our "good blokes" at the back cope. I know a lot of people will question this logic and say we will be too open and I understand that but my logic is based upon the fact that we have to do something WITH the ball as much as WITHOUT it to win any football game and with Dino's front 6 we have no chance !!! Give creativity a chance. There's a lot of quality there.

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Cheshire_Blue added 17:14 - Oct 20 All I would say to the anti Skuse / Douglas brigade is look where Grant Leadbitter is now.
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jas0999 added 17:16 - Oct 20 Let's go there and attack. No need to play seven defensive players.
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Brownie added 17:23 - Oct 20 Skuse is good at what he is meant to do - screen the defence. He is not creative and isn't there to do that. In my view he doesn't need Douglas beside him if we want any creativity in the centre of the pitch. Saturday is the toughest away game all season - a backs to the wall 0-0 would I suggest be a good point. I want the team to be creative and attack but be realistic. If Man Utd can set out for a point at Liverpool I suggest we can do it at Newcastle without slagging MM. In general though leave Douglas out and play Skuse who is better player in that role. Especially in games where can be on the front foot and try and win rather than not lose.

8

Vizslaraner added 18:22 - Oct 20 Cheshire blue - Leadbitter is surrounded by absolute quality and in all fairness can pass a ball albeit sideways and backwards, whereas these two goons couldn't pass wind
11

Surco72 added 18:57 - Oct 20 In previous seasons when Skuse has been injured we have had some of our most successful points hauls and goals per games ratio . To change a winning side to accomodate Douglas again shows total disregard for other players and sends out dreadful signals that no mater how you play you will be dropped fir MMs boys ask Josh , where is the incentive to players ?
13

martin587 added 19:02 - Oct 20 I sometimes wonder if some of the posters on these pages ever go and watch a match after some of the unusual comments.Some on here go home and away each week and can actually see where the faults lie.Skuse and Douglas may well be OK defending at times but both are incapable of putting a forward pass together between them, you only have to see the difference on Tuesday night. If we are to be serious promotion contenders this midfield will never get us there.Big changes need to be made and hopefully with a few players returning to fitness things may well change and with the improved service from midfield our strikers will score.Going out to defend each game and playing for a draw is not the answer. It's all down to MM and what team he puts out.Lets just hope he learnt something from Tuesday night.

6

Pilgrimblue added 19:05 - Oct 20 I just don't get MM. I watched Skuse closely on tuesday and he does his best work in our penalty area and certainly doesn't play in midfield. He managed to get to the centre circle on few occasions and when he got beyond he just didn't know what to do. As for Douglas, he must play higher up the pitch if picked (I wouldn't) as he'll just stand next to Skuse and get in his way. Must play Tom in centre with Bish and Ward either side. Sadly MM will set up for 0-0 and pray!

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 19:05 - Oct 20 Douglas is coming back? Phew, I was worried this winning and scoring thing would become a trend.No way in hell we will beat Newcastle away in our current form.
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NormEmerges added 19:13 - Oct 20 I wouldn't have either Skuse or Douglas in the holding role. We've got a proper ball-playing defender in Webster who would be like Eric Dier or Gareth Barry to bring the ball out positively. Chambers is better at centre half than RB, and Emmanuel the better RB. But MM is fixated on certain players in certain spots so I don't expect any inventiveness in team selection any time soon!

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Tractorboy1985 added 19:15 - Oct 20 Skuse= NOT good enough and holds the team back! Cart horse of a player! I can appreciate a good holding midfield player who don't get all the lime light like a striker but this man offers NOTHING! Far better looking side when he went off Tuesday! I for one won't be shedding a tear when he retires or hopefully gets released at the end of his contract!
2

Pip50 added 19:41 - Oct 20 What planet is McC on. Burton had nearly twice as many efforts to score than us and bossed most of the game until we made forced changes. Yet he looks to revert back to a starting line up that hasn't worked. Why oh why are we carrying on with this idiot. Hopefully Newcastle will get double figures and we can start to build back to something to be proud of with this planks departure.

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thundercat600 added 19:44 - Oct 20 So, he has toe problem, maybe they should stop wearing those flimsy trendy boots then
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Taricco_Fan added 19:58 - Oct 20 I don't particularly rate Skuse at this level but he does a job reasonably well as the water-carrier type player: protect the defence, break-up play, win the ball, play it to someone better. What we don't need is Douglas alongside him, effectively playing two defenders in front of the two centre-halves. It drains all the life out of the team.
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