Jon Walters looks unlikely to be fit enough to face his old club Bolton Wanderers when the Blues take on the Trotters at Portman Road on Saturday, but manager Paul Hurst has no new injury concerns.

Walters missed the 1-1 draw with Brentford on Tuesday due to an achilles problem and Hurst says the Republic of Ireland international, who is 35 today, seems set to be sidelined again at the weekend.

“It doesn’t look overly positive,” he admitted. “We’ll give him every chance, of course. But as we speak I’d imagine we’d be without him again.

“There are a couple of other knocks but, unless I’ve got the wrong idea, nothing that should keep anyone out.”

One piece of positive news is Toto Nsiala’s return after his three-match ban following his red card at Sheffield Wednesday.

Town have had no news on Janoi Donacien's permanent leave to remain but with Walters set to miss out all five of the other loanees will be able to be included in the matchday 18.

Hurst says the hamstring injury which Teddy Bishop suffered in the U23s is nothing to get too concerned about, while Emyr Huws, who is still to return from the knee injury which ended his 2017/18, trained today.

“It shouldn’t be anything to worry about but he’s certainly not training and therefore not fit,” he said regarding Bishop.

“Emyr’s trained today, did all the session but I think he’s come in and had a little complaint.

“I haven’t had an update so you’ll have to forgive me that I can’t give you the exact [situation], whether he’s just felt something or it’s more of a problem.

“But after one training session he’s clearly not going to be in the shape to come into contention. It would be great if we can keep him out there on a regular basis.”

Hurst says the pair are players he’d like to have available to him: “Yes, I think in fairness there are probably people better placed to really emphasise that but that’s what I’ve been told, that they would really add value to the squad and perhaps to the team.

“That’s great. My frustration is how long they have been injured in one shape or form and every time we’ve felt we were making progress, it seems like we’re having to take at least a step back, if not two.

“So, I honestly can’t say when I feel that they will be ready, nothing seems to be straight forward, unfortunately.”

Tom Adeyemi is in the early stages of his return from the achilles injury he picked up in pre-season, while Hurst says Andre Dozzell is moving in the right direction.

“Tom, I didn’t see him today, I saw him in the building but I didn’t see him out on the pitch running, which he was on Monday and Tuesday, so I’m not quite sure. But again a long way off, I think,” he added.

“Andre played in the U23s on Monday, got himself a goal, got another 90 minutes. He has trained this morning, done some extra with Emyr and Chris Doig afterwards and continues his progress.

“We’re hopeful that that continues. I think he seems as though he’s in a decent place at the minute and let’s hope that carries on so he comes into contention.

“Today he trained more with the U23s group and some pros, a bit mixed today, to be honest.”

Photo: Action Images

BlueBlood90 added 16:26 - Sep 20 Getting sick to death of seeing Teddy Bishop, Tom Adeyemi and Emyr Huws have trained and then later read in another paragraph that they've come off moaning about being injured AGAIN. None of them have offered anything to us for over a year. I don't get how Andre Dozzell isn't even in the position to come on and at least play the final 20 minutes if he's consistently managing to play fine for the U23s.

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Currie10 added 17:02 - Sep 20 Well, one positive to this is we won't have to play the loan game this weekend.
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shortmarine1969 added 19:34 - Sep 20 Wh yare we keeping Adyamie..bloke is a waste of wages..Bish is getting that way as well sad to say...and the Dozzell thing , sorry but just dont get it ..played v W.Ham , and varoius u23 games full 90 yet not fit.?
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Warkys_Tash added 22:37 - Sep 20 Achilles injury? FFS, thats Jonny out until at least Christmas or at the very best probably playing a bit part of most of his loan :-( It is either likely to snap at his age or take a long time to get better..
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