David McGoldrick and Tommy Smith both return to the Town squad for Saturday’s home game against Reading. However, Emyr Huws has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and Tristan Nydam and Dean Gerken are both still sidelined, having missed last week’s 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, along with longer-term absentees Tom Adeyemi, Luke Hyam and Andre Dozzell.

McGoldrick has been unavailable for the last four games due to the gash to the groin he suffered in the 2-2 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday, while Smith has been sidelined with the calf problem he suffered while on international duty with New Zealand.

“Didz is back in the squad, he’s been moving well this week, he trained well," McCarthy said.

"Tristan, no. Tristan’s got a problem with his hip flexor in and around his groin area.

“And Gerks has got a bad hip, he’s going to have that investigated. I’m not putting him down as having surgery, as yet, let’s wait and see. Let’s investigate it first and see what it is and let’s hope it’s something minor that doesn’t require surgery.”

He added: “Tommy Smith’s in the squad and Tom Adeyemi is still recovering from his hamstring injury.”

McCarthy says Luke Hyam, who underwent knee surgery in September, is not yet ready to get back to action: “He’s still recovering, not ready for the U23s yet.”

In addition to Huws, who underwent knee surgery yesterday, Andre Dozzell is expected to miss the rest of the season with the ruptured cruciate knee ligament he suffered on the opening day.

McCarthy says the 18-year-old is making progress: “May or June, that’s when he’s going to be back. But I’ve just seen him, he tells me he’s had a scan today and he’s recovering particularly well, he’s pleased with his rehab and recovery.

“But until he actually puts his boots on in May that’s when we’ll find out how good it’s been. But everything’s been a success, the op, and he’s recovering, it’s fine.”

Photo: TWTD

martin587 added 16:40 - Dec 15 Selection problem tomorrow,I guess.🤔
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brian_a_mul added 18:01 - Dec 15 Still have decent options in midfield with Skuse & Connolly central midfielders with Ward, Downes & Bish if needed on the engine room. Celina, Wags, garner, Didz as the attacking forwards. Still got s good team there! Would be great to see Bish back 😁
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