Town boss Mick McCarthy says Adam Webster and Leon Best should both return to his squad for Saturday’s home game against QPR, while Brett Pitman is expected to make the trip for the game against his former side Bristol City the following week.

Centre-half Webster missed last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest with a hamstring problem but McCarthy says he should be fine to return to the centre of the defence.

“He’s trained today and providing there’s no reaction out of that [he should be back], he’s had a good session," he said.

“He’s been doing his rehab but it was the first time he’s trained with the squad and he was fine, he looked great. We’ll see how he is tomorrow and if he’s all right he’ll be involved.”

"Striker Best missed out on a place on the bench against Forest having suffered a with an injury for a fortnight.

“It was his knee, he just had a bit of a niggle with his knee, two weeks he’s been out,” McCarthy added.

“He trained yesterday, he played in the game for an hour yesterday and then he trained today, so he’s ready to go on Saturday providing he doesn’t have any reaction, which I don’t think he will. Everybody else is OK. We’ve got a fairly full squad to pick from.”

Fellow frontman Brett Pitman has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury at Leeds in September but the Town boss says last season's top scorer ought to be back in the squad for the visit to Ashton Gate.

“Brett Pitman is hoping to be on the bus to Bristol City to be involved, which is very promising as well,” he continued.

“He’s done well. Matt Byard, who is head of the physiotherapists, is terrific, he’s not one that gives you an extended date so he gets them back early, he pushes them.

“And, to be fair, they’ve been very, very good in terms of their rehab and doing it properly, they’re conscientious about it and if he’s back on the bus for Bristol I’ll be delighted, it would be great.”

McCarthy says midfielder Luke Hyam is making progress having had knee surgery with his return to action expected in early December: “He’s doing fine. He’s injury is what it is, nerve damage, and it’s just been a really slow recovery.

“But I think he’s feeling a lot better in himself and he can see it’s improving, it’s getting better. That’s a real positive.”

Also on the way back is midfielder Giles Coke, who had a second knee operation earlier in the season - “He’s still injured, he’s doing his rehab, he’s just coming back” - and centre-half Tommy Smith, who underwent back surgery in September and is also likely to return in December.

“He’s rehabbing, he’s doing fine,” McCarthy said. “His rehab is going well, whatever time limit it was, I can’t remember what we said, but he’ll be back on time.

“But that was a real serious operation to have on the base of your back and there’s no way we’ll be rushing him. He’s doing all the right things to get it right and strengthen his core.”

Photo: TWTD

Pilgrimblue added 14:04 - Nov 24 Both would be a welcome return but will Chambers make way and will MM play Best with Sears with McG as attacking midfield. I doubt it as he'll find room for Douglas and drop Josh!
6

hoppy added 14:16 - Nov 24 Webster has been a real positive this season - be good to have him back. He's looked an excellent signing. Oh and a bonus, Coke his on his way back too...
6

dugoutdave added 14:28 - Nov 24 Hoppy - just beat me to it! "Also on the way back is midfielder Giles Coke, " - thank heavens for that, the saviour has returned. we can all sleep safe
3

DurhamTownFan added 14:49 - Nov 24 Can we please have some 'Evans out' chanting this weekend please? I'm for MM out, but nothing will change unless ME decides to invest a bit or leave
3

Karlosfandangal added 15:10 - Nov 24 Put Kenlock, Emmanual, Dozzell Benyu and McDonnell in the team and drop the overpaid underachievers, It might be the wake up call they need. the result I doubt would change but at least the fans that are still daft enough to keep going will see a team of players trying to win the game and maybe have a little pride to be playing for Ipswich Town
4

tractorshark added 15:46 - Nov 24 Emmanuel was dozing and exposed last week. He's a good prospect but, realistically, still has quite a way to go. Chambers may not be the answer but I'd rather he switched to right-back this week and we reverted to the defence that looked quite solid recently. I'm more worried he'll shore up the midfield by bringing back Douglas for Bishop. Williams will take Ward's place.

0

Manchesterblue3 added 17:21 - Nov 24 If you've watched town this season you'll know that Webster is genuine class and he should be one of the first names on the sheet. Shame about the injury and glad to have the young lad back!
5

portmanteau added 17:41 - Nov 24 Who in their right mind would buy itfc with its 100 mill debt? Answer: someone with money to burn and burning ambition to own a football club. That rules out anyone in the UK. Step forward Middle and Far East wannabes and form a queue. We just need a few clever marketing types to get the word out.
0

jas0999 added 18:12 - Nov 24 Webster looks a real quality signing great news he is back. Best - less so.
0

heathen66 added 21:23 - Nov 24 I fear like most on here that MM will revert back to type. We have given away far too many goals of late which suggest a return of Douglas, Chambers to RB and the wide players playing deep to protect the Full backs. The best way to defend is to attack, but I do not think MM has the bottle to 'go for it'. Don't concede and try and nick one late on !!!
1

grumpyblue1966 added 03:26 - Nov 25 Durham town fan I hope fans will chant m.e out but I doubt it becouse most fans are spineless they moan on here about m.m and evens but do not do anything about it .we should all true town fans should protest like we did when we chanted lyall out.i have been a fan for over 30 years and I have never seen itfc run so bad time is up for both m.m and m.e
0

Ferguson added 09:47 - Nov 25 Good to have Best and Pitman returning.And I think we're missing Tommy Smith more than it may appear. He's not perfect, but he adds genuine honesty, plays for the shirt, and chips in with important goals now and then. we need a winning mentality and I believe Smith has that. Webster coming back is great news - but his management and team mates need to step up to the plate if we're going to keep him beyond this season.

2

planetblue_2011 added 13:56 - Nov 25 Be great to see Brett back against Bristol City. Need to play him Mick not just use him as a sub.
1

planetblue_2011 added 13:56 - Nov 25 Be great to see Brett back against Bristol City. Need to play him Mick not just use him as a sub.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls