Boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that Andre Dozzell will make his first senior start when the Blues take on Fulham at Portman Road on Tuesday evening, having made a goalscoring debut as a sub aged only 16 years and 350 days as Town drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

“He’s had to have an operation to wipe the smile off his face, to get the coat hanger out of his mouth!” McCarthy joked.

“Actually, he’s generally a smiley lad. He’s great, he’s enjoyed it and I don’t see any difference in him, he’s trained with us today and we’ll find out how that’s affected him because he’s playing tomorrow, he’s starting.”

McCarthy says Cole Skuse should be back from the injury which forced him out of the Owls game but Daryl Murphy remains sidelined with the calf problem he suffered while away with the Republic of Ireland.

“I’m expecting Skusey to be fit, he trained today and providing that he doesn’t have a reaction to the stiff neck he had he’ll be fine, but not Murph. He had a little reaction to the injury, so he’ll be missing.”

Does McCarthy expect the 33-year-old striker to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough? “We’ll just wait and see with him. The danger is for him as much as anybody.

“The European Championships are coming up, don’t get me wrong he wants to be playing for us, but there is that real carrot at the end of the season for him and I’d love him to go and enjoy it, play and experience that because it’s a wonderful opportunity.

“The temptation is to try and get back so you’re playing and you’re in everybody’s eyeline, but I think you just make sure he’s fit, if that’s for the last two games or last game, and that’s he’s fit and he’ll be ready and able to go there.

"And he’s no good to us if he’s not fit anyway. Let’s try and get him back.”

Luke Varney will also miss out against the Cottagers, McCarthy says: “Luke’s got a hamstring strain. Nothing major but he’s not available for Tuesday night."

Luke Hyam will be back from his one-match ban, while loanee Ben Pringle is unavailable against his parent club.

Youngsters Adam McDonnell, Myles Kenlock and Josh Emmanuel weren’t included in this afternoon’s U21s side at Sheffield United and are likely to be amongst the subs as they were at Hillsborough at the weekend.

Photo: Action Images

HarryS_H added 16:55 - Apr 18 YES MICK THIS IS THE MAN TO TAKE OUR CLUB FORWARD
0

battyblue added 17:20 - Apr 18 I am pleased because the lad deserves it as do a couple of others but if you believe Mick would do this in normal circumstances you are very much mistaken,,,,,,just trying to drum up some more season tickets purchases then next season it will be back to old favourites and more dire crap football......a fool and his money are easily parted.
1

Seasider added 18:07 - Apr 18 Oh dear,so Micks favourite,favourite sideways Skues is fit again.Every time he is out injured he brings him straight back in when fit,wouldn't hurt to leave him out; but bet he w ont
1

blueboy1981 added 18:11 - Apr 18 Shrewd - or devious move - will certainly encourage a few more thro' the turnstiles, that's a dead cert'.
5

TrueBlue1998 added 18:27 - Apr 18 Good news. I thought the Douglas, Bru and Dozzell midfield looked good on Saturday, at least they tried to play football
2

StochesStotasBlewe added 18:40 - Apr 18 Enjoy the experience young man, do your best & to play your natural game. One thing is for sure, the PR faithful will get right behind you.
8

Cakeman added 19:04 - Apr 18 Very pleased for young Dozzell a great start for him. I would like to add that Feeney deserves much praise for his massive part in providing the opportunity with a tremendous cross. Feeney seems to be about the only player we have that takes players on and can deliver an accurate cross. I think I have seen enough of him to hope that we can sign him up for nex season and then maybe Dozzell and others can nod a few more in.

6

BillBlue added 19:11 - Apr 18 Brazilsnuts - You are satisfied with that back line - is that right? just surprised, that is all!! Good to see AD starting so is McCarthy waking up at last? Much too late in the season, what is he doing, trying to regain some favour, if so it is much too late for that too!
1

Surco72 added 19:14 - Apr 18 Wow MM a wonder manager for playing our youth because Skuse was injured , perhaps if he had been given the chance rather than constantly picking 2 or 3 defensive no scoring non creating midfielders we would still be challenging for play offs ? MM only seems to realise when players get injured rather than changing for ability otherwise Gerks would still be in goal !!'
3

SheptonMalletBlue added 19:18 - Apr 18 Great that AD is playing, but does it mean Mcarthy has turned over a new leaf? does it mean that the tactics are gonna change? I don't think so!!!! But then, Mcarthy couldn't give a flying ~#@! about what we the fans think!!!!
6

martin587 added 19:38 - Apr 18 Watch out.Essex57 is down marking again.!!!!
4

blueboy1981 added 19:45 - Apr 18 SheptonMalletBlue ........... and the last line of your post are the words that have really pee'd off many supporters. Does that show, even remote respect, for the people who indirectly pays his lucrative wages ...... ??
2

blueboy1981 added 19:52 - Apr 18 Give up Essex57 (or whoever you are) and do everyone, other than Elto, Bohslegend, HarryS-H and a FEW other clones - A HUGE FAVOUR. The rest of us long to see the real IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB back. That's all we want, no more, no less.
-1

bluearmy4life added 19:56 - Apr 18 Great news Dozzell had to start, after his superb debut. As for Skuse.... To be honest it's not going to hurt if he is dropped for a while. Is Matty Holland and Jim Magilton available in center mid? If only!
1

Bluetone added 20:06 - Apr 18 @ markyitfc66 my thought too just a ploy to sell more season tickets then next season, if McCarthy is still here, it will be back to normal hoof ball servicel.
2

Elto added 21:13 - Apr 18 blueboy I'm aware I irritate you, as you do me, but there is no justification for posts like that. Just because I rarely agree with you does not mean I don't want success for our club. I had just clicked on the upper for your earlier post (I know, are you back in your chair yet?) and scrolled down to read that. I was disappointed to see it, I have not even made a comment on this story.

2

blueboy1981 added 22:08 - Apr 18 Elto ......... my post was based on the fact that Essex57 and yourself are notorious for marking people down for having an opinion which differs from your own. Not necessarily, or specifically, on this 'story'. We are not all as easily satisfied as yourselves - just accept that - without the need to mark people down for the sake of it, or who they are. If I agree / disagree I mark accordingly - irrespective of the poster. I earlier agreed with one of yours for the record. People (including you) don't irritate me - they have an alternative view. There is a difference - irritation is normally for the playground ..... !!!

0

bohslegend added 22:09 - Apr 18 Blueboy, just because you put an awful lot of your opinions in CAPITAL LETTERS does not make them facts. You have often claimed the right to an opinion in your commentary, equally every other Town fan is entitled to theirs whether you agree with them or not.
0

blueboy1981 added 22:09 - Apr 18 ........ add bohslegend to that - nothing changes there.
2

bohslegend added 22:11 - Apr 18 and your response is......?
-3

bohslegend added 22:11 - Apr 18 ....to mark me down. The irony
-3

blueboy1981 added 22:13 - Apr 18 ....... have fun in the Playground - you know who you are.
1

Chicago_Blue added 22:18 - Apr 18 Agree with you tractorshark. However, Mick could only play one of the three amigos on Saturday, because Skuse was injured and Hyam suspended. Let's hope he doesn't play the 3, or even a combination of 2, of them tomorrow. Only need 1 of them - and that's got to be Skuse.
0

Kirbmeister added 23:03 - Apr 18 If people take the time and trouble in checking who marks them up or down, then takes offence and comments on it, they have too much time on their hands. Who cares!
6

Elto added 23:36 - Apr 18 Good grief. So much for the reasonable approach. I give up.
2

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls