Boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll assess how striker David McGoldrick came through Town’s final pre-season friendly at Leyton Orient before deciding on his level of involvement in the Blues’ opening fixture of the Championship season at home to Fulham next Saturday (Sky Sports 1/HD1, KO 5.15pm). The 26-year-old seems unlikely to start against the Cottagers having made only two sub appearances in friendlies since returning from seven months out with knee problems.

McCarthy replaced McGoldrick, who had come on at half-time at Brisbane Road having played the final 20 minutes at Southend, two minutes from the end as a precaution.

“I think he was disappointed to be coming off, but he’d done enough,” the Town manager said. “I didn’t want him to get a kick in the last few minutes of the game.”

While impressed with McGoldrick’s contribution against the O’s and Shrimpers, McCarthy warns that league games are a significant step up: “They were pre-season friendlies. As much as that was competitive, it’s not Fulham at home, it’s not Reading away.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and beyond. He certainly makes a difference when he’s playing for us.”

The Town manager is expecting a tough first month with relegated former Premier League sides Fulham and Norwich the first visitors to Portman Road.

“We’ve got two of them that have come down in the first month,” he added. “I went to watch Norwich against Nice and I thought they were excellent.

“Birmingham and Reading are going to be scrapping around with us but I think the other two will be competing for promotion.”

Photo: Action Images

NSL added 16:02 - Aug 4 I have to say I have been quite hopeful and excited about the coming season, however with 6 days to go I am semi-dreading it. Ultimately we have not strngthened. Strenghtened in numbers maybe but strenghtened in quality, absolutely not. The next 3 teams have some serious firepower with Fulham arguably the best - McCormack / Rodellega / Ruiz. We'll do well keeping those out!

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thebeat added 17:08 - Aug 4 How anyone can say McGoldrick is overated or average is beyond me. He oozes class on the ball, only needs a split second to get a shot off, has great close control enabling him to turn players inside out and is stupidly hard to knock off the ball even though hes not the biggest of strikers. I can only think Stevie Wonders been on here commenting
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ArnieMsBigToe added 17:14 - Aug 4 Hi PhilTWD. I've just been on the score predictor for our first match with Fulham. When do you plan to add Bajner & Bru and all our other new players?
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barrysandals added 18:05 - Aug 4 Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on mcgoldrick .... I for one think he is a class act. If he had a proper turn of pace I have no doubt he would be playing premiership football.
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rendoblue added 21:12 - Aug 4 If he isn't right don't risk him, better to get him to last than fall at the first.
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DenanMurton added 22:15 - Aug 4 Bajner should start over nouble but no doubt he wont. Would even start Marriott byt same old Mick too young not enough shown in pre season blah blah blah
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bohslegend added 10:18 - Aug 5 Wow, the season not even started and we are Top of the League for Moaning. Absolutely pi$$es me off to hear people so bl00dy negative when we haven't even kicked a ball yet. All mind readers who already 'know' what the team will be and how we will play. The fact is, everyone has an opinion on who should play, but there's only one manager. He is NEVER going to pick a team that pleases everybody. It seems too many people will only be happy if their entire favourite 11 players are on the pitch and that each of the subs that come on are exactly the right ones in the right order at the right times. We have a good manager, who has saved the club from relegation in Year 1, brought us to a whisker away from the play offs in Year 2 and this summer yet again with NO MONEY has brought in some exciting talent as well as sorting out a couple of contracts etc. That is progress in any language.

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JoeDickerson420 added 10:45 - Aug 5 100% spot on @bohslegend opinions are not fact's just meerly another human's point of thinking/view how people have the cheek to rant on or verbally assault someone for there different way of thinking? cannot wait to get back to PR and also back on the road again down to reading, #FAITH COYB
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goleszowski added 18:10 - Aug 5 McGoldrick is vastly overrated. All his goals are really peculiar. Most of his goals are from outside the box. Or penalties. With a deflection or goalkeeping error.
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