Town boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful that striker David McGoldrick will be fine to face his former loan club Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road on Tuesday evening, the Irish international having suffered a thigh problem at Rotherham on Saturday.

The Town manager says McGoldrick, who had a month with the Owls in 2011, scoring one goal in three starts and one sub appearance, should be OK to face the South Yorkshiremen: “I’m hoping he will be fine, we’ll see how he is tomorrow.”

Aside from McGoldrick, McCarthy says everyone else came through Saturday’s game unscathed: “Just about, there are a few bumps and bruises but nothing untoward.”

Luke Hyam (knee) and Dean Gerken (hip) are the only players currently sidelined longer term, although both are making progress.

McCarthy, who had his players in at Playford Road yesterday, says he could make a few changes with the Blues having picked up just four points from their last 15.

“Possibly. The ones who have been sat on the periphery, if they don’t get a game now when we’ve had a couple of difficult games and results haven’t gone as well, they’ll be thinking they’re never going to get a chance.

“To be honest, whenever I’ve had to change the team because of injury, suspension or illness, whoever has come in in whatever position, they’ve always contributed and done well.”

If McGoldrick fails to make it - or McCarthy is eyeing a change to his front line - the Town boss says recent signing Freddie Sears has shown he's ready to make his full debut having impressed from the bench.

“Yes, he is," McCarthy added. "I think he’s been really bright, really lively.

"We’ve talked about having somebody just to come in and be hungry for it, we’ve got some that have been on the periphery, not new faces but players who are desperate to play and certainly Freddie looks ready for it and up for it.”

Photo: Action Images

chevvymalc added 16:50 - Feb 9 We have a decent squad so lets use them. Scratching around hoping for a o-o away draw or pinching 1-0 wins is not promotion tactics the idea is to score more goals than the oppositiion because thats what they are trying to do SO lets go back to attacking and putting them under pressure and if the opposition win lets make them work for it not gift wrap wins to poor sides we make look good and all the other top clubs brush aside easily. So come lets sort out the Owls tomorrow and get back on track as 4000 going to Fulham Saturday deserve something to shut for.

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neillrumsey added 17:03 - Feb 9 I felt that our game changed when we came up against Derby. Hughes was untouchable in midfield and we resorted to hitting the ball long. This tactic has unfortunately remained even against the very poor sides we have recently played. McG is clearly frustrated at his lack of service as he is a footballer who wants the ball on the deck. Bishop has to play tomorrow along with Ambrose and Sears. McG behind Murph and Sears. Goodbye Anderson time for a rest.

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chripswich added 17:21 - Feb 9 not in least bit complicated.. we have been 'worked out' by others... in 2000 season we strengthened at xmas and beyond with Stewie etc and thus had something else/more to offer post christmas and into the run in..same as Derby have done this season. This season we have done nothing..sorry but 100k for Sears is hardly a demonstartion of investing in the positive position we got ourselves in. Play offs at best..i guess we would have taken that in August but having been where we were at xmas? thats now a dissapointing prediction

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bellazzurri79 added 17:35 - Feb 9 sheff wed is going to be a tougher game than Rotherham, brighton or wigan so MM has to get this right tomorrow Anderson cannot play... The last two games he has come off at half time so why keep playing him? Let's hope Murphy is firing and with Bournemouth Derby watford and Brentford playing each other this is our chance to get it back on... Just don't blow it again!!!

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ChrisL_ITFC added 17:40 - Feb 9 Need a diamond formation in midfield to facilitate playing Murphy, Mc Goldrick and Sears together plus real full backs both sides to balance the wide positions more. BialkowskiParrChambersBerraMingsSkuseBishopBruMcGoldrickSearsMurphy Substitutes: Kenny   Smith   S. Hunt   Ambrose   Tabb   Anderson   N. Hunt
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Bobby_Petta added 17:43 - Feb 9 does anyone know whats happened to Cameron Stewart ? got be better than Tabb and Anderson! would give us some much need pace in midfield. I would like this team: Bart Mings Berra Chambers Parr Ambrose Bishop Bru Stewart Mcgoldrick Murphy All out Attack! Not Mick style though!
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sir_george_burley added 17:43 - Feb 9 While McGoldrick does look off colour, people are wrong to say he isn't working hard. On Saturday he was still the player to watch for a fantastic first touch with three opposition players near him all of the time, with his frequent sudden shifts in direction and pace. His eye for goal is not there and confidence has suffered on that score but it's not constructive to run him down. Sears did look sparky when he came on and someone said earlier that his arrival seemed to inspire Bru to more confident and exciting running and passing. I thought Ambrose was at times very good against Southampton (despite what some said) — he is another Town player with real class. With the midfield undoubtedly rather in the doldrums at present I'd like to see him get another start (if he's fit — he wasn't around on Saturday).

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SandyBrown added 17:53 - Feb 9 Changes were made for the game at Southampton and that was the last time the team put in a good performance. Would like to see Matt Clarke given a chance. He has kept the bench warm long enough .Time to gamble MM!
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Arnie4eva added 18:07 - Feb 9 Some people with very short memories on here. Mcgoldrick has carried the creative burden for this team for so long..hardly surprising if he's a little jaded. .the lack of a proper right back in the team is compounded by playing with non wide players in wide positions..how often does he get a ball to feet? Bru and Bishop have to play if you want the best from Mcgoldrick. .Sears has earned a start too

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Arnie4eva added 18:08 - Feb 9 Some people with very short memories on here. Mcgoldrick has carried the creative burden for this team for so long..hardly surprising if he's a little jaded. .the lack of a proper right back in the team is compounded by playing with non wide players in wide positions..how often does he get a ball to feet? Bru and Bishop have to play if you want the best from Mcgoldrick. .Sears has earned a start too

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blueboy1981 added 18:08 - Feb 9 ...... sorry Ipswich121 - didn't mean to minus your post, in fact totally agree with you.
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blueboy1981 added 18:13 - Feb 9 ....... my guess is that quite a few players themselves are not happy with MM's recent style of play - but of course daren't show dissent - otherwise out the door !!! Players body language can sometimes can say it all - and there has certainly been some recently.
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blueboy1981 added 18:22 - Feb 9 ........ let's not have the usual blurb from MM tomorrow about Sheffield Wednesday having great players and should be challenging for the top spots. Let's go for the 3 points from the off - or we will continue to fall away.
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Blue_Armee added 18:28 - Feb 9 Got to drop Smith for Parr in my opinion, it worked after scum game and Parr has never let us down. Bishop in centre of the park as well with Sears and Murphy up top.
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StowTractorBoy added 18:38 - Feb 9 ChrisL totally agree with your team and really hope MM plays it. All about opinions which have to be respected but why the call for Ambrose as he wasn't even on the bench on Saturday and will be nowhere up to speed in this helter skelter division to start a match. There seems to be some anti Skuse fans on here as well but he must play as he is always the outlet and in my opinion is underrated. Saturday he got booked and after that he was playing through the motions as one more ill timed tackle would have seen him off especially with Referee Ward who had already shown 8 red cards this season. Come on MM get the line up right and we can get back on track tomorrow night.

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ArnieM added 18:43 - Feb 9 So McGoldrick is obviously not fit and /or playing with that same knee injury. Rest him, and play Sears.
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jas0999 added 18:46 - Feb 9 Parr needs to play. Anderson and Tabb have to be dropped. Decision not to strengthen up front in January window now looks like a poor one. I'd McGoldrick misses out that only leaves us Sears and a half fit Murphy. Hunt is a winger. No other options.
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Bobby_Petta added 19:31 - Feb 9 Fans keep knocking Mcgoldrick but what service does he get from the midfield? hoof ball most the time, does a lot of running just to receive the ball, no wonder his jaded.
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Steve70 added 19:33 - Feb 9 Give the lad a rest and bring in Sears.
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Cakeman added 19:41 - Feb 9 Very good question Bobby Petta, what has happened to Cameron Stewart?
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TimmyH added 20:21 - Feb 9 Nothing but a win in my opinion will do...I don't think the loss of McG (if not fit) will make that much of a difference anyway Sears deserves a start. See sick note Hyam is STILL injured!! how many games this season has he missed? Expecting a change of tactics and certainly can see Bishop starting.
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blueboy1981 added 20:26 - Feb 9 ....... all's not as well in the Camp as portrayed, and many supporters would like to believe !!!!!!
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stevelincsexile added 21:19 - Feb 9 ChrisL ITFC Looks good but put Bru in place of Skuse and bring in Ambrose. I think Bru can do more with the ball from that holding roll.
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Middle2605 added 21:54 - Feb 9 Bart Parr Chambers Berra Mings Skuse Bishop Ambrose McGoldrick Murphy Sears For me, both Bishop and Sears have to start. Ambrose gives us a bit more experience and is still very technically gifted and also has an eye for goal.
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jocasaja added 22:03 - Feb 9 I think far too many fans are too quick to become experts as soon as the team hits a 'sticky patch'...MM and TC know more about football and how to pick a team than any of us, so lets do our bit as loyal fans - KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON TO PORTMAN ROAD..COYB !!
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