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

carsey added 20:22 - Oct 20 I want to see neither of them in the team in any shape. They are the past not the future. We are not expected to win so go and attack. Newcastle won't be expecting it and we could just catch them off guard.
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Sospiri added 01:33 - Oct 21 I think its fine to play Douglas if Skuse isn't fit. One defensive midfielder in front of the back four to break up play and distribute is used by most managers. Its using TWO that doesn't really make sense, unless you are a highly defence-minded manager.
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TR11BLU added 08:03 - Oct 21 Well hopefully Skuse wont be fit and Douglas will slip on the coach steps. Our best moments this season came on Tues when both were absent. Dino out
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BackTheBlues added 10:38 - Oct 21 Anybody that doesn't rate Skuse needs to watch him closely in a game... Everytime the opposing team counter attacks, who is the one there trying to stop and most of the time actualy stopping it! He is a Central Defensive Midfielder - he's not there to score goals - he's there to say to the other 5 lads in front of him and the full backs - you lot go forward, I'll sit and cover! Anybody that's ever played will have played with someone like that - it's not pretty, it's not entertaining but you need one - and Skuse is arguably the best in the league at it!

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TimmyH added 11:53 - Oct 21 Pretty certain neither McG or Williams will start, Skuse sweating on an injury and I bet Mick is perspiring on Skuse's injury too! Wouldn't it be great to see McG, Williams, Ward and Lawrence all be in the same starting line up...more excitement I would feel with that midfield/attack. Time for Mick to become more flexible in his management.
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TimmyH added 11:55 - Oct 21 *will not start* - I SHOULD say
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