Boss Mick McCarthy expects skipper Luke Chambers to play through the pain when Town face Leeds at Portman Road this afternoon, the 31-year-old having suffered a cracked rib scoring the Blues' goal in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.

“They tell me there’s a way of dampening the pain,” McCarthy said. “The problem is, I think, that the muscles around it start to put a strain on it and they can go into spasm to protect it.

“I guess the reality is that it’s six weeks for it to heal but it’s two-week cycles, I’ve just been explained it, the first couple of weeks it could be all right, it could be settled down, but if anybody will play with it, he will. He’s been great, he’s been really tough.”

He added: “Chambo's put his body on the line to play games, he did it on Tuesday night, he cracked his rib then and he played on, and he didn’t pull out of anything, that’s for sure.”

Photo: Action Images

Jimmy86 added 07:17 - Feb 18 So offer him the new contract he deserves?? I'd say a 2 year deal, with the option of a 3rd
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osborne added 07:41 - Feb 18 Chambo. From Zero to Hero in the space of a month. If he plays today he deserves a big cheer every time he puts his body on the line for us. Brave, great leader and always shows real guts. He's been poorly treated by the fans, the club, and played out position by Mick for so long. Show the guy some appreciation and let him know we need and want him here - not at Wolves. He's a true Blue if ever there was one! COYB

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 07:44 - Feb 18 Why are there so many Chambers agents on here? The club have an option to extend his current contrac so, he's effectively contracted until the end of next season already. Sorting out a new contract costs money, a pay rise will cost money and it's all a distraction.
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rfretwell added 07:54 - Feb 18 Why risk it though??? We aren't going to make the play offs and Spence or Digby could fill in. Leeds will see this and get Wood to clatter into him at every opportunity.
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jas0999 added 08:02 - Feb 18 Like him or not, after the service Chambers has given to the club I personally still think it's disgusting the way Evans has treated him. The guy gives everything, but Evans gives very little.
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Sam added 08:21 - Feb 18 Get well soon Luke. You're a great player
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BrettenhamBlue added 08:38 - Feb 18 He'll certainly be cheered today if he plays. Moving to centre-back has changed most fans views of him. Kind of agree with rfretwell: Leeds are likely to clatter Chambers. Might be more sensible to play Spence and let Chambers heal.
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Guthrum added 09:15 - Feb 18 It's not up to McCarthy to offer a new contract, that's been made pretty clear. And Spence may well be playing RCB anyway.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 10:09 - Feb 18 The way I read that, he's going to play today and I can't see any way in which he's been badly treated by Evans. He's got 18 months (if you include the extention by the club) on his contract. Why do we need to offer him another one so urgently? Just because he asked? That's not really how jobs work.
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Bergholtblue added 10:30 - Feb 18 One knock on the ribs and a sub will have to come on, so why risk him? Give someone else a chance.
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Seasider added 11:07 - Feb 18 AS several have said,why risk him? By playing him against a big centre forward,would be asking for trouble;and could lead him being out,and missing several games. Why not bring Christophe Berra back,in central back three?
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rfretwell added 11:32 - Feb 18 The EADT say Mick is likely to go 442 and rest Emmanuel and Kenlock. Also Chambo isn't likely tobplay after all.
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Nazemariner added 12:10 - Feb 18 The changing wind of a Town fans opinion! A month or so ago the vast majority of keyboard bashing Town fans would of paid his taxi fare to Nottingham, yet now he is the people's hero. With Berra returning there is no need to risk aggravating the injury further. As for his contract, he's got 18 months left, and the club are being sensible in waiting until the summer. It's no coincidence that his performances have improved at a time he is seeking a contract.

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Magic31 added 12:22 - Feb 18 Re: Nazemariner I think what you meant was... "It's no coincidence that his performances have improved since he's been played in his correct position." Agree however that there's no need to risk him today.
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schenkermental added 12:41 - Feb 18 Club must be mad if they let him play. I cracked a rib once, didn't realise what I had done was short of breath and in extreme discomfort for a few days and then one day I sneezed and nearly passed out with the pain so made a hasty trip to docs,
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warktheline added 13:21 - Feb 18 It's not the case from zero to hero! He's been playing out of position for ever and a day! Personally I'm perplexed why he allowed this to continue, surely any professional player wants to fulfill their careers to maximum potential! Maybe, he eventually told McCarthy as much and was looking to move on ,unless he returned to his natural position. If you recall McCarthy gave a strange interview highlighting Chambers here on in would be fighting for a CB shirt! Anyhow I've always considered Chambers a very good Championship CB, and an inadequate full back. Recent results suggest so, it's a bloody pity McCarthy didn't realise the same 2 years ago!

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braveblue added 13:22 - Feb 18 No doubt he is better in the centre and gives 100% But this hero status is a bit much. Not long since he was being petulant with the fans and even swearing and shouting at them on a couple of occasions. If MM had the courage a couple of years ago to choose between Smith, Berra and Chambers and buy a right back he may have been our best centre half. Trouble is Webster is the future.

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Warkys_Tash added 14:01 - Feb 18 Great captain, been played out of position. No back in the centre and looking much more comfortable. Always gives 100%. still young enough for a CB. Need to keep him at the club, top guy.
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Campag_Velocet added 18:58 - Feb 20 Chambers hasn't got 18 months left - he's got six, and the club have an option to extend this to an extra year, but they can trigger it any day until it expires, but they haven't done so yet. Why they haven't done so is anyone's guess. Maybe Evans is hoping to netogiate a new contract with less wages? Wouldn't surprise me.
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