Town could be without David McGoldrick when they face Fulham at Portman Road on Saturday with the striker’s wife close to giving birth to their fourth child. The 29-year-old is also due to join up with the Republic of Ireland squad on Sunday ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia next month.

The baby had been due on Tuesday but speaking at his pre-match press conference manager Mick McCarthy says they’re still waiting.

“She’s still having the baby, he’s back and he’s trained today, but as we all know, that at any given time that could change when nature calls,” he said.

McCarthy says if the baby still hasn’t arrived by Saturday morning he’ll leave a decision on his line-up as late as possible but says the striker will be allowed to return home to his wife if she goes into labour ahead of the game.

“If he goes home and turns up on Saturday morning, he’s playing, no problem to me,” he added.

“[But if he gets the call on Saturday morning] he’s goes and sees his wife for the birth. I remember when I was either a player or a manager somebody tried to stop somebody going.

“But it’s what we all do now. When I played, I went and played. I dropped my wife off, went and trained, came back and thankfully she was giving birth to my first child and I saw Anna being born.

“And I went back and played and we got beaten 5-1 by Newcastle. I remember that day more for the result rather than Anna being born, to be honest. I have told her that in the past. She’s given me more pleasure since though, I might add.”

He added: “No doubt I’d have gone and played football. I saw all my children being born, which was lovely.

“And having done that, I wouldn’t even attempt to try and stop anybody doing it. It’s a great day.”

Following Saturday's game McGoldrick is due to meet up with the Ireland squad on Sunday ahead of games away in Georgia on Saturday 2nd September and in Dublin against Serbia on the following Tuesday, which could also now be in question.

“Wait and see, when they finally have the child and everything’s OK. I don’t know.” the Town boss, a former Ireland manager, added. “He might not be here for me on Saturday yet. We’ll see.”

If McGoldrick does join up with the squad coached by Martin O’Neill and his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane, it’ll be one of the few occasions he has been with them when at the top of his game.

Previously many of his caps have come as he has been on the way back from injury with only a couple of domestic games under his belt.

“I think he’d done well at the end of the season, he played in one of the friendlies, I can’t remember which one, and then he missed out, he was injured again, he pulled out of the last game, I think,” he said. “But if he went now, he’s fighting fit.

“I don’t know his circumstances, let’s wait and see. I’d be more concerned that his wife and the child are well and happy and the baby’s been born and then they can all decide what they want, whether he misses my game or not, that is more important than my game of football on Saturday, to be honest.”

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 15:43 - Aug 24 Quite right too. We all love ITFC, but there are more important things (sometimes!!). This is one such occasion.
15

boroughblue added 15:47 - Aug 24 Will be a huge miss on the pitch. But no complaints about this. I echo exactly what Jas said. All the best didzy
6

Bluebell added 15:58 - Aug 24 We will definitely miss him if he doesn't play Saturday but family has to always come first. I admire his wife immensely with Didz living away from home but she has her family near to help with the children. Hope it all goes well for both of them.
6

TimmyH added 16:44 - Aug 24 For God's sake!...bring her in a St John's ambulance to the ground if she hasn't given birth, then McG will play.
0

christiand added 16:52 - Aug 24 If McGoldrick is missing, start Celina in his place.
5

iaintaylorx added 16:52 - Aug 24 Would be a big loss but massive congrats! Hope popping out babies left right and centre isn't the cause of all his injuries ;-) Celina to replace would be an understandable replacement! COYB!
2

Fen69 added 17:19 - Aug 24 Give her a spicy curry and good poke and little one will be out today, thought all new parents knew this?
2

baldman added 17:25 - Aug 24 Fen69 Giving her a good poke got him in this in th first place,anyway all the best didz
3

MVBlue added 17:55 - Aug 24 Hmmm I was there for the birth of my son, very special. But I also remember being at an ipswich game in the 90's and the announcer telling a new father "congratulations, all well at hospital and you've had a boy!" Followed by the crowd cheering. He'd chosen the match and the crowd were in appreciation of his devotion.
1

carlo88 added 19:29 - Aug 24 Would have thought by the fourth time you'd rather be anywhere else to be honest.
1

whosroundisitanyway added 10:14 - Aug 25 Thought he'd have enough money to buy a television!
0

Paulc added 11:56 - Aug 25 He's got 3 other kids, don't matter if he misses this one surely, PLAY ON!! That was a joke by the way before you all start "downing" me. I loved a story i once heard on these lines, where an announcement went out a a pretty dire match saying "congratulations to Mr X, who we know is here today, your wife has just given birth to a baby boy". Someone in the crowd then shouts, "poor buggar, he's gotta sit through 90 minutes of this 5h1t, and now he's gotta go home and cook his own tea!"

2

Blue041273 added 12:43 - Aug 25 All the best Didzy! These are special times and MM's comment that he remembered the result more than the birth of his daughter is one of his daftest and quirkiest comments. There are some things more important than football as I have learned the hard way over the years!
1

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