Town Absentees Are All Back On The Mend

At long last, it looks as though manager Mick McCarthy will be spoilt for choice, when he selects his starting eleven to face Sheffield United on Saturday.

Defender Tommy Smith and young midfielder Flynn Downes will continue their recuperation, with a game tonight for the under 23’s who take on bottom placed Bristol City at Portman Road this evening. Adam Webster is also now back to full fitness so the options for Mick McCarthy are finally widening.

Also in the side will be Callum Connolly, Myles Kenlock and Danny Rowe but there is no place for Emry Hues, which suggests that he may not have recovered fully from his long term injury?

Better news is that David McGoldrick has returned to the club, as he will play no part in the Republic of Ireland’s crucial clash with Wales this evening.

I suspect McGoldrick will be deeply disappointed to not be involved but from the club’s perspective, it is a big relief because he is not injured apparently.

Irish boss Martin O’Neill did not feel it necessary to keep players in his squad that would not get a game. James McCarthy of Everton and Jonny Hayes of Celtic were also released.

I am not convinced however that this is such a clever move for the Irish, as they will already be without Shane Long and Jonathan Walters and the risk is that if they are chasing the game, they will look to goals from the bench but where will they come from?

Of course former Blue Daryl Murphy bagged two in their last match but to date that is only 3 in 30 international appearances so he is hardly prolific at this level normally.

Mick McCarthy`s men will know they will have a tough game on their hands on Saturday, against in-form Sheffield United and then of course the following Sunday, they come face to face with Norwich City so it must be re-assuring to know that the squad is strengthening once again.

Tom Lawrence is likely to represent Wales this evening and it could be another night when former players hit the headlines with some more important goals!

Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich