Top scorer Tom Lawrence is a doubt ahead of Saturday’s trip to already-relegated Rotherham United, while second-choice keeper Dean Gerken is available again for a fixture in which manager Mick McCarthy is considering fielding some of his fringe players.

“Tom Lawrence’s ankle is bothering him, he got a knock again on Monday, so we’ll have to wait and see on Tom,” McCarthy said.

Gerken has been ruled out of the last two matches due to a problem suffered in training but the Town boss says he is now fine: “It was his shoulder, but he’s OK, he’s trained today.”

McCarthy says he hasn’t yet decided on his weekend team but says he is likely to field a changed side.

“There’s every chance,” he said. “I haven’t made my mind up yet but it’s the one opportunity I’ve got to play some of them.

“I would like to think that if I did that the ones who play are busting a gut to be in that team and do something in terms of next season. I’ll see, I’ve got the rest of the day to think about.”

McCarthy says he’s unlikely to play a similar side in the following two games, at home to Sheffield Wednesday and at Nottingham Forest, with both matches likely to be meaningful fixtures for the opposition.

“If we’re going to Forest and they’re safe, which they might be [then that would be different], but there’s every chance they might need points, and certainly Sheffield Wednesday that’s going to be a game [with something riding on it].

“Whether they’re in the top six or not that will effect where they finish, of course. I’d have to protect the integrity of it.”

McCarthy says academy youngsters such as Pat Webber and Ben Morris aren’t so much in his thoughts for Saturday as those players who have been regularly in the first-team squad recently without getting games.

“Unlikely for those, I think the others are in front of them who have not played a lot,” he added.

“Teddy Bishop’s back and fit, Dozzer’s back and fit. Unfortunately Tristan Nydam, who has been doing really well, is injured.

“But there have been lads like Danny Rowe and Dominic Samuel, who have travelled around the country and been on the bench or not been on the bench. And if I’m going to do it it’ll be those guys who are going to get a game.”

McCarthy says Jonny Williams could “possibly” also come into his thoughts at the New York Stadium but he says 21-year-old keeper Michael Crowe won’t make his Blues debut but remains in his thoughts for the future.

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 14:08 - Apr 20 It's fine as MM will pick youngsters anyway safe Lawrence for next week v Sheffield Wednesday
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casper16 added 14:13 - Apr 20 As much as I like to watch Lawrence play I think he & the other loanees should be left out. We know what they are capable of but are unlikely to be here next season. Should be putting in a couple of untried youngsters to see how they cope in readiness for next season
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hampstead_blue added 14:22 - Apr 20 Why don't we send Williams back to Palace. He's never going to play. Lovely player, but made of feathers I'm afraid. Like the idea of Bishop getting some freedom to weave a spell in midfield and Rowe to tear up the wings.
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hoppy added 14:34 - Apr 20 Is that: McCarthy says he hasn't yet decided on his weekend team..." or McCarthy says he hasn't yet decided on his weakened team..." ??
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NBVJohn added 14:54 - Apr 20 Great news - I love the concept of this - it makes perfect sense, but if it's going to be done properly we need to forget about including loan players. By now it must be clear which ones are of interest or are viable targets for permanent contracts. i.e. Huws and which ones are out of reach, i.e. Lawrence. Also, if fringe players such as Kieffer Moore can't perform to a satisfactory level against a team already relegated by a country mile, then I would suggest that they just aren't up to scratch for next season, so a great chance for some of them to prove a point. I would like to see Benyu recalled from his loan [if that's contractually possible] and included for the remaining games, as well as Dozzell - they are the future, and it would give supporters some overdue confidence that the mythical 5 point plan has a shred of credibility! Whilst I am still convinced that MM will one way or another leave at the end of the season, this is a good chance for him to throw off the shackles and give us a flavour of things to come....... a team which includes some academy products, and hopefully a more attacking, passing game. I am sure that someone somewhere will find a negative angle on this and have a good moan, but I can only see it as a positive step.

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Daleyitfc added 14:55 - Apr 20 Players that we know won't be here next season should not be in the squad anyway : that includes most of the loan players, and others that are clearly going in the summer e.g. Berra, Chambers, Skuse ... sorry, that last one was wishful thinking ...
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NBVJohn added 15:32 - Apr 20 ...and DaleyITFC proves me right with a predictable and unnecessary dig at Cole Skuse. Would anyone like to add a bit of a snipe about MM's industrial language whilst we're here?
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therein61 added 16:05 - Apr 20 Bet he keeps the great Skuse in though.
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bluelady added 16:23 - Apr 20 Skuse showed exactly why he needs to be here next season on Monday - in an arts long formation he plays a key role - sadly he has not had the players around him much of the season to allow him to ply at his best (Douglas, Bru etc). he protects the back four allowing our attacking midfield the freedom to create! Another player impacted more by the formation/tactics then his on ability (Sears being another example, Chambers fantastic CB awful RB etc )

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bluelady added 16:47 - Apr 20 That's an "attacking formation"!!!
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