Keeper Dean Gerken is set to be out of action for at least a month with the shoulder injury he sustained in the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Birmingham City.

The 30-year-old collided with James Vaughan and required lengthy treatment before seeing out the game’s final minutes.

“Gerks has seen a specialist in London and had a scan and he has suffered a partially torn ligament in his right shoulder,” physio Matt Byard told the club site.

“He will be reviewed again in two weeks and we are looking at a return at the earliest in four weeks if there are no setbacks in that time. It could be longer.”

In Gerken’s absence, Bartosz Bialkowski will come back into the side with Town's next match against Reading at Portman Road on Tuesday.

Bialkowski played in the FA Cup games with Portsmouth earlier in the month - and was in goal for the Capital One Cup tie at Manchester United in September - but his last league match was the 2-0 home victory over Burnley in August, having also started the opening two Championship fixtures.

Gerken subsequently established himself as Town's number one after Bialkowski was given compassionate leave to return home to Poland to be with his dying father.

Former Wales U19 international Michael Crowe, 20, is currently on loan at Braintree Town and can’t be recalled until February 7th, so Scotland U21 international Jonathan Henly, 21, who joined the Blues in August following a trial, is likely to be on the bench against the Royals, the club who released him last summer.

With neither Crowe nor Henly having played a Football League game, manager Mick McCarthy could look for more experienced cover as he did last season when Gerken suffered a knock and veteran former Sheffield United and Ireland keeper Paddy Kenny joined on a short-term deal.

Photo: Action Images

chrisw2045 added 15:44 - Jan 27 Despite a lot of fans opinion it is as big loss for Town over the next month, however I have every faith in Bialkowski filling in seamlessly and will be tough for Deano to get back in when fit, I know expect Bart to see out the season between the sticks.
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Arthur added 15:45 - Jan 27 Speedy recovery "Gerks" At lease we have a decent back up in our goalkeeping department.
10

boroughblue added 15:50 - Jan 27 Don't think many will agree with me but I am slightly relieved about this. Gerken is not a good enough keeper for this level. Although I don't doubt him as a shot stopper his kicking is poor, he doesn't command his area enough and he is to slow of his line. Whilst I don't think Bart is all that I think he is better and he didn't deserve to be dropped at the start of the season. I still think we need a more solid number one as I think gerken, whilst he has improved, is still not good enough for championship level. Just my opinion

13

emergencylime added 16:00 - Jan 27 Dickie Wright isn't too busy ATM? If Henly is an U21 International that's good enough for me. Can't see Crowe getting a look in at town, sadly...can't be recalled now and got nudged down the pecking order by Kenny last season.
1

Pilgrimblue added 16:01 - Jan 27 That's very unlucky that just as he's looked settled he should be out again. Still maybe MM will find us quality keeper to keep bvart on his toes. Would be good if he found last season's Southend stopper was free (cant remember wher ehe went) or expereienced benchwarmer from Prem
0

carsey added 16:01 - Jan 27 I will confess to being one of those who don't rate Gerkin over all (too hesitant, no command of his area and fails to come off his line quickly enough to collect the ball) so now time will tell whether Bart is actually any better. I certainly hope so but I'm not holding my breath. Goal keeper is one of those positions that most supporters agree we need to improve on.
6

MickMillsTash added 16:04 - Jan 27 I thought he was pretending to be injured on Saturday so we did not concede any more. Shame - thought Gerken was doing well - obviously a confidence player this will not do him/us any good in the long term
0

Smithy added 16:04 - Jan 27 Cracks in squad starting to appear, hard on Bart to expect to come in and be on his game having not played since August. One of Berra or Smith out would be massive, if he can't see we need strengthening now God help us.
2

PortmanTerrorist added 16:08 - Jan 27 Whether a Gerks fan or not we cannot deny:- - he has been decent of late - Bart should be good enough to step in - it has been a horrific past 7 days If we don't string some performances and results together ASAP, then MM could soon find himself under proper pressure at Town for the first time regardless of new contracts. Between performances, team selection and the obstinace in the transfer market he will have brought it on himself. Come on Mick, show us what you can do now !!!

14

brendenward35 added 16:11 - Jan 27 Might be wake up call this club needs trying to get into the premiership on a shoe string is one big joke. ok sticking with your favourite 11 but when a player gets injured your relying on players with little or no 1st team experience. I wish Bart all the best as it wasn't fair on him to be dropped after his father died that was totally out of order for Mick to do that.

13

rendoblue added 16:12 - Jan 27 Earlier in the season I'd have said this is good news, but recently he has been one of a few with stand out performances. So now we've hit the end of January as a side trying to hit the playoffs in the next few months and here we are now losing 3 players in two weeks. Although Bart will come in perhaps mows the time to look at bringing in a number 1. Starting to feel very negative about where we are waiting to be as a club at present and these things seem to always crop up at the worst times.

6

Geoff added 16:14 - Jan 27 Bart the better of the two he gives the defence more confidence and commands his box far better. Now need to bring in a experienced keeper on loan. Evans please regain some interest and start investing or our season will soon be over.
7

ArnieM added 16:22 - Jan 27 Initially I was against Gerkin as our no 1 but I now firmly believe he is in fact the better of the two GK's. We see now that Bart is back in goal if this is a justified view. Both GK'S have their faults. for me Bart lacks concentration throughout the game , often not "seeing" or reacting to seemingly tame shots on goal. I hope he does pull up trees for us but I have reservations. Either way our squad is looking very depleted now. Mcgoldrick Bishop Gerkin Parr . gone Oar. gone Mick / Evans have to bring in at least 3 players AND a GK.

4

righty added 16:32 - Jan 27 Gerkin is at best div 1 keeper as is Bart ,McCarthy so headstrong and Evans so tight we will get what we deserve nothing anyone who thinks this lot can get us in to the play offs lives in another world. We will get nowhere with this awful team at the helm
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Surco72 added 16:33 - Jan 27 How about a short term loan for Adam Bogdan from Liverpool 3rd choice and wants to leave ?
2

Bert added 16:37 - Jan 27 A real shame as he has been in the groove for a number of weeks. He has pulled off some brilliant saves, come off his line more and distributed the ball to the backs far more than people give him credit it for.
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southnorfolkblue added 16:40 - Jan 27 It's a shame but Bart is as good if not better. This is a great opportunity for him to reestablish himself, because presumably if MM is consistent Bart will remain in goal until he does something that merits him being dropped. Bart should be able to nail down the position for the rest of the season at the very least.
6

karls_dad added 16:41 - Jan 27 I prefer Bart between the sticks anyway, and now all the journeymen and unheards of links begin, will we ever get the cheque book out or has someone lost it?
6

Kirbmeister added 16:50 - Jan 27 Even with Petr Cech in goal we'll still finish mid table though it pains me to say it.
8

prebsa added 16:57 - Jan 27 Question is now that Bart is in the team will mick just drop him as soon as Gerken is fit again. As we all know Gerken is micks favourite.
1

footyblue added 17:02 - Jan 27 Mc Carthy doesnt have faith in the youngsters at the club
2

irish_tractor added 17:11 - Jan 27 A man that is in good form and won over a lot of critics of late. Wish him a speedy recovery and best of luck to Bart for the upcoming fixtures.
7

blueherts added 17:17 - Jan 27 kelvin davies
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jas0999 added 17:27 - Jan 27 Wishing him a speedy recovery. I'm not a fan of his, no point saying otherwise, so I don't really see this as a huge miss, as I rate Bart slightly higher. A new experienced keeper is required as cover.
4

therein61 added 17:51 - Jan 27 I have in the past given him some stick and felt he deserved it, but he has played and improved a lot over the past few weeks(and he needed to!!) I am sorry to see any of our players injured, but this let's Bart back in who for me has been the better of the two keepers, Bart was I feel appalling treated by the manager when his Father died and the managers comments at the time did not help!! so come on Bart make the position your own.

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