Town boss Mick McCarthy says striker David McGoldrick is ready to start and midfielder Cole Skuse should be fit for Saturday’s home game against Rotherham, but full-backs Luke Chambers and Jonas Knudsen are both doubts.

Skuse missed the trip to Newcastle last week having aggravated a toe injury in the 2-0 home victory over Burton but McCarthy says the Bristolian should be OK to face the Millers.

“Skusey’s trained today, he’s fine, hopefully he doesn’t get a nasty reaction and he’ll be fit for Saturday,” he said.

Danish international left-back Knudsen was forced off at half-time at St James’ Park with a back problem and sounds unlikely to be involved on Saturday, while skipper Chambers has also missed training but is considered less of a concern.

“Jonas hasn’t trained, neither has Chambo, to be honest,” the Town boss added. “I think Luke Chambers is more likely to be involved than Jonas. We’ll have to wait and see with Jonas, we’ll find out more tomorrow.

“Luke’s problem is his ankle, he got hit very early on in the game at Newcastle and it definitely affected him to the extent that he hasn’t trained properly yet this week.

“He’s done some rehab with the physio today, so he has done some training and he’ll join in fully tomorrow.

“But Jonas was really struggling, it went into spasm and he’s had a bit of a reaction from that today, so we’ll have to see if it settles down tomorrow.”

If either Knudsen or Chambers miss out McCarthy says he has no qualms about starting Myles Kenlock, 19, on the left or Josh Emmanuel, also 19, on the right of his defence.

“If either of them are not fit then Josh and Myles will be ready to step in and they’ll both play,” he added.

McCarthy says Jonny Williams isn’t quite up to a start but believes David McGoldrick is ready having playing the second half at Newcastle.

“Jonny played 90 minutes in the U23s in the week and I still think he’s getting there, he’s still a bit ring rusty as you can imagine, he’s had a long time off,” the Blues manager added. “He took a couple of knocks on his ankle but he’s certainly getting there.

“Didzy played 45 minutes and I thought he looked good and he’s trained well this week, so I’d say he’s ready to start.”

He added: Luke Varney had 90 minutes for the U23s the other day, he's trained fully and it's good to have him back [from his hamstring problem] and it gives me a few more options."

McCarthy says Luke Hyam (knee), Tommy Smith (back) and Brett Pitman (ankle) are all recovering from their injuries as had been expected.

Midfielder Giles Coke has undergone a further knee operation: “He’s still in rehab as well. The last operation was a very minor one to remove a stitch or something which was just irritating the wound, that’s all. It wasn’t a big thing. I’m hopeful he’ll be training soon.”

Keeper Michael Crowe is also on the sidelines after suffering an ankle ligament injury in the U23s at Colchester last week: “He’s out for 10 weeks with an ankle injury.”

Photo: TWTD

northernblues added 14:04 - Oct 27 Just spotted an error above, it states full back luke chambers!
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blueblood66 added 14:07 - Oct 27 The return of Skuglas then...lets hope Kenlock and Emmanuel start.
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theblueginger added 14:33 - Oct 27 Josh and Myles together....looks promising... BUT...if they make a mistake, you know the Chambers/Knudsen hating crowd will be the same lot bit@hing at MM.....
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Brownie added 14:42 - Oct 27 I'd play McGoldrick at RB..
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Lightningboy added 14:57 - Oct 27 Just read on twitter that McCarthy's saying that Kenny Jackett's gonna have Rotherham "up for it". Sounds like Mick's getting his excuses in already.
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Surco72 added 15:15 - Oct 27 How can Williams who was playing in the Euros and has been on the bench for the last three or so games still not be fit to start after playing a whole 90 mins in mid week also , yet Douglas and Skuse have injuries and are straight back in ? Will be nice to see the two young lads at full back thought they have looked good when given the chance Does Dids starting mean Sears on wing or dropped again , would like to see them start up top together

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PortmanTerrorist added 15:16 - Oct 27 Surely McGoldrick will play right Wing to balance out Sears being on left ?!
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muhrensleftfoot added 15:20 - Oct 27 Who can forget the dynamic midfield trio of Skuse, Douglas & Hyam against Rotherham last year. At least this time it can only be maximum 2 out of the 3, but MM please show some balls and only play 1 of the trio, preferably a fit Skuse, on Saturday.
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BlueNomad added 15:27 - Oct 27 Thanks Phil. Too many people come on here and either forget what respect means, or have never learnt it. It's one thing to criticise but another to become personal and spew bile. It's time a few on here sorted themselves out!
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Daleyitfc added 15:41 - Oct 27 Bad news about Skuse being fit : he will be part of a packed 2nd line of defence against a team as strong as Rotherham ... I hear that they play a 7-3-0 formation with a rush goalie, so assume McCarthy will set us up to match them ...
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rickw added 15:48 - Oct 27 If we have 2 young full backs playing Skuse will be crucial to cover for them when they get caught out of position, but it will be great for us going forwards. I'd love to see an attacking team like below played: __________________Bart Emmanuel__Webster__Berra___Kenlock ____________Bishop___Skuse Sears_________McGoldrick____Lawrence __________________Best
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christiand added 15:54 - Oct 27 Can't see the issue, play kenlock and Emmanuel. Here's your chance lads- take it with both hands!!
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muccletonjoe added 16:00 - Oct 27 I take it "fitness" does not apply to Douglas. Because quite frankly if he is fit then so is ray crawford
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NoelTheDub added 16:12 - Oct 27 Mick told us last Sat Skusey would be back the old tractors ploughing a furrow in the middle of the park.The only chance of a change is injury doubts and a half fit regular will be thrown in v Rotherham UTD a very organised well shaped outfit whos league position is false just like ours pull the other one Mick.If attack is not the plan Sat I give up this is the type of game we should win but your style and plan A makes every game so bloody hard and it shouldnt in my view..

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david_d added 16:14 - Oct 27 Oh I hope chambers is fit....I don't know what we would do without him!!!lol
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david_d added 16:14 - Oct 27 Oh I hope chambers is fit....I don't know what we would do without him!!!lol
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Ferguson added 16:37 - Oct 27 I'm very pleased that McGoldrick is fit and that Williams is nearly there for a full 90. .AND I'm confident that Kenlock and Emmanuel will step up if they get the chance. As they have before. Those of us who go to the game on Saturday COULD see a very different side, and a more enterprising style of play. Couldn't we Mick ? Let's hope so. I expect a decent win. COYB
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alfromcol added 16:48 - Oct 27 Who will inspire the team if Chambers isn't on the pitch? Perhaps we can have him on the touchline with MM?
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prebsa added 16:48 - Oct 27 Don't wish injurys on anyone! But it's good that josh gets to play ahead of Chambers, he's the better player anyway and Knudsen is not good enough either so great for kenlock to get the chance! Nice to see mcgoldrick back and Williams almost there too. Playing Rotherham at home, praying Douglas dosent get anywhere near the team! This is a game we should win by 3 or 4 or we could just go for the 0-0 and nick one at the end!

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Seasider added 17:20 - Oct 27 Noticed our esteemed Captain was limping during game.Dont know if this was sole reason he got a roasting last Saturday;but should have been taken off. Never forget that once Mick tried to get him off sometime ago,and he said he was ok to carry on. Actions like this can be to the detriment of the team;so hope McCarthy doesn't play anybody who is not 100%.If that rule applies to Jonny Williams,then it should also apply to his favourites.

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muhrensleftfoot added 17:39 - Oct 27 muccletonjoe - really, you should not mention Douglas and Ray Crawford in the same post
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phillo added 17:55 - Oct 27 I heard Micks been on to the Football League all day to get a postponement as Chambo is not available 😀
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Bluetone added 17:58 - Oct 27 After watching that recent twitter clip I can't watch Douglas without thinking he is saying "chase me, chase me"
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stiffy501 added 18:08 - Oct 27 Why do i have a niggling thought in my head that says he might drop Bart after letting 3 in on Sat and bring in his old mate Gerks !!!!
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therein61 added 18:20 - Oct 27 Skuse is fit(for what??) so it's him an Dougie going through the sideways passing putting people trouble motions which has been the problem with these two so called footballers ever since they joined the club neither are worthy of pulling on a blue shirt!!!!! so roll on you world beaters Rotherham we are there for the taking!! as we are or any side that comes to Portman Road for easy points, in 58 years iv'e seen some lows but this is rapidly becoming the absolute pits

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