Town boss Kieran McKenna says there are a few knocks and niggles in his squad ahead of Saturday’s crucial final day of the season game at home to Huddersfield with one or two set to be assessed in the morning ahead of the match.

The Blues need a point from the visit by the all-but-relegated Terriers to return to the Premier League after 22 years away.

“We’ve got a quite a few, as you do at this stage of the season, especially coming off two quick games,” McKenna said regarding the fitness of his squad and specifically Wes Burns, who went off with cramp at Coventry on Tuesday, Leif Davis, who turned his ankle at Hull last Saturday and Harry Clarke, who missed the trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena with a knee problem.

“We’ve got a few knocks and a few niggles, we’re going to assess one or two in the morning, which can happen when you’ve got a quick turnaround.

“We’ve no long-term injuries, no injuries that as we stand here today have immediately ruled anyone out of the squad, but we do have some players who are carrying some issues that might determine their involvement tomorrow or how many minutes they can play.

“We’re going to take all those decisions to Saturday morning and make sure the team we go out with has enough freshness and readiness to go and deliver.”

The only long-term injury is Janoi Donacien, who recently underwent surgery on an adductor issue.

Photo: TWTD

dirtydingusmagee added 15:32 - May 3 expecting to see Ali given a decent spell and Walton in goal would not come as a surprise [not having a dig at Hladky although recently he has been worrying at times] if things are going well as we hope . Going to be one hell of a party if all goes well. At my age i thought id just have memories of the good times , What a manager and squad , amazing times . Long may it last .

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Linkboy13 added 15:42 - May 3 Don't think McKenna will be experimenting in such an important game. Hladky at times has looked unconvincing but to bring Walton in for his first league game of the season would be too risky. With Hirst now fit Al Hamadi has been pushed down the order but will get some minutes on the pitch. No i don't think McKenna will be using this game to give some players a run out.

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naa added 15:44 - May 3 I can't see him bringing Walton in when he hasn't played in the league at all this season. I thiink he's a better shot stopper than Hladky but he isn't used to playing out from the back much at all, whcih would be a big risk. Not sure about Ali either really. The tiredness and injury issues are generally on the wings (defence and midfield).
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Broadbent23 added 15:48 - May 3 Cometh the manager and team, remember the victories of Sir Alf and Sir Bobby, play the 90 minutes and what will be will be. Believe in the process.
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terryf added 15:49 - May 3 DDM he may give Ali and Walton a run second half is the game is done and dusted, although injuries aside he'll probably keep much of the same Team with either Moore or Hirst starting up top. The front players will be interesting because Omari is on fire at the moment and always capable of turning the match in our favour. Would imagine one Broadhead, Chaplin or Burns will be on the Bench and come on second half. I agree about Hladky he has had a brilliant season and made some outrageous saves, but he is prone to panic when under pressure playing out from the back and seems to always have his default button stuck on punching the ball when catching it would just relieve the pressure. I'm surprised that the coaches haven't picked him up on that? I have a feeling though that we are in for a repeat of the Exeter game with a really special end to the Season. What a season it's been! COYBs

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naa added 15:58 - May 3 terryf: don't agree about Hladky and playing out from the back at all. He's generally very measured and calm about it. It's pretty much the reason he's in the team I'd say as Walton is better at shot stopping in general. Agree completely asbout his insistence on punching out. Drives me mad. It's almost always the wrong decision! But generally I think he's done a great job for us this year.

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WaltonBlueNaze added 16:00 - May 3 I think despite Omari being brilliant lately, he will be on the bench and come on for either Chaplin or Burns after 60 minutes. If Clarke is fit he will come in for Axel. Davis will be passed fit as usual. Broadhead will start with Saramiento replacing him after 60 mins. Hirst will also start with Moore coming on after 60 mins. Ipswich will win 5-1. Then the party can start. COYB

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UhlenbeekDownTheWing added 16:13 - May 3 WaltonBlueNaze…so (if Woolfy returns) the same outfield 11 as played vs Exeter. Tempting…very tempting. Although also a bit mad! That said this whole shebang is a bit mad! Also completely agree that the notion that Hladky panics with ball at his feet is nonsense. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a keeper panic less. Some of the fans seem to panic, but Vaz never does!

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:31 - May 3 expecting to see Ali given a decent spell and Walton in goal would not come as a surprise [not having a dig at Hladky although recently he has been worrying at times] if things are going well as we hope . Going to be one hell of a party if all goes well. At my age i thought id just have memories of the good times , What a manager and squad , amazing times . Long may it last .

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:35 - May 3 sorry for repeat post it hadnt blanked after 1st . I i did mean i thought those players would get a bit of time if things were going well and we were not in danger of blowing it . Anyway in McKenna we trust .
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:38 - May 3 no sleep tonight AND hopefully happily none tomorrow night either COYB
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Jugsy added 16:39 - May 3 On the Walton vs Hladky debate, there's no time for sentiment tomorrow (pending us being 5-0 by half time) so stick with the best team. Hladky has looked as questionable as any other player, i.e. they are all liable to a wobble in a game so that alone is not a reason to consider replacing him. The high stakes possession, press and passing game we play is always going to increase risk, whether we have Ederson or Hladky in between the sticks. Finally, I'd argue that as good a goalkeeper as Walton is, if he can't play the way we need him to then he's not the GK for us and probably best to let him move on. Same with any other player that can't play our system. For reference, I really rate him but we can't hold onto sentiment in these decisions.

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timetraveler added 16:42 - May 3 I must admit I don’t think Hladky panics with the ball. If anything he can on occasions be a bit too casual (overconfident perhaps) and not assess the likely danger, thereby putting a player in trouble such as his pass to morsy the other day.
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Terrystowel added 17:03 - May 3 The problem with his pass to Morsy the other night was he put it to his left foot and Sami is not so comfortable there under pressure. And yes, a bad decision to punch into a crowd of players but generally Vas has measured up very well against other keepers in the division this year. Like others I'll struggle to get to sleep tonight. COYB.
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VanDusen added 17:07 - May 3 I suspect Walton will come on if, like last year with Hladky, we are several goals to the good late in the second half. I assume it's to ensure he is eligible for a medal etc. to add to his cv as he's the only player (bar Slicker) who hasn't had any minutes on the pitch in the league - even Aluko played in the QPR game didn't he? Let's hope Brandon Williams doesn't have the gall to show his face mind...

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EssexManInMichigan added 17:13 - May 3 Unnecessary changes for such a match would be absolutely insane, imho. Hladký's tendencies to punch instead of catch, when under pressure, and to palm the ball away when a top 'keeper would probably hold on to it are both worrying, but he has been our no 1 all season and, ofc, should be tomorrow. Hope Burns and Davis are both fit -- having them in the lineup would be huge; hope the bench is a strong as possible (would love to see Al-Hamadi get some minutes). Just couldn't bear to watch the Coventry match, after so much agonizing recently (played golf with two of my sons instead, but, naturally, couldn't keep my hands off my phone -- *eleven minutes* of added time, ye gods!). First thing tomorrow morning (7.30 a.m. here) will be glued to my TV. Whatever happens, a magnificent season. COYB.

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Bert added 17:19 - May 3 I would prefer it if KMcK sticks with the team and subs that played on Tuesday, excepting of course any injuries. Those players will be hugely motivated as will the players coming off the bench. Sentiment can only come into it if we are 4-0 up with ten minutes to go. I am still haunted by what happened at Charlton ! As an aside, our loan players are giving their all and have embraced the club so they deserve to be picked. Early goals please.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:34 - May 3 K McK will pick his best team just like any other match. That's his way, and he won't be experimenting with anything new, least of all replacing the goalkeeper. If we indeed are well out of sight with 10 minutes remaining, then some of the more fringe players may get a chance, but by then we may already have seen some of the "normal" substitutions around the 65-minute mark, so there won't be that many options available. I don't expect this to be anything other than a tough contest and hope we come out of it on the right side. McK knows best and I have complete faith in his judgement.

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Roggydem added 17:34 - May 3 Keep the usual team, play our normal game, and it should be ours. We are where we are for a reason.
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Radlett_blue added 17:39 - May 3 You have to play a certain number of games to qualify for a medal. Are there runners-up medals?
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warwickblue added 17:39 - May 3 Omari definitely more effective cutting in from wide, rather than playing more centrally, I think. May be him and Burns will get a half each. I'm feeling good about our chances. So excited for tomorrow.
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terryf added 18:13 - May 3 Agree Vaz is much better playing out from the back than Walton, although the latter does command his six yard area better. Certainly would not recommend changing the keeper unless the game is in the bag by the later stages. Vaz has had a marvellous season and saved us countless times but there are occasions when his decision making gets us into trouble. Punching the ball when he can catch it certainly annoys me. I understand our game plan of playing out from the back and creating spaces to build up our attacks but sometimes mixing it up is not a bad thing, particularly when under a hard press and it's difficult to start a move. On reflection I would agree with Timetraveller that rather than Vaz panicking he can sometimes be too casual. Lets face it all we want to do tomorrow is be able to party come the second half. COYBs .

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Letchworth_Blue added 18:19 - May 3 There will be few surprises with the team tomorrow (quite rightly!). Vaz will start. Chaplin will start as he is mustard at home. I'd give Sarmiento a start definitely. Aside from that it will be the same side that started at Cov. COYFB!!!
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Townancountry added 19:09 - May 3 All the best Town fans , for hopefully a return to the PL again . Lets go boys !
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Phil1969 added 19:11 - May 3 What a load of bollix comments on here. It will be our best side not giving game time or changing keepers, Hadders won it for us Tuesday. This will be a tough game expectation is a weight they are free of that now doomed and can play without any pressure. The supporters hate Leeds the players don’t give a fcuk about that. It’s not a gimme despite the media frenzy.
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