Blackburn v Ipswich: GOALKEEPER Scott Loach has been ruled out of Saturday’s game at Blackburn Rovers after he sprained his thumb in a training session this morning.

The 24-year-old has started the last five matches and retained his place in goal for last Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Middlesbrough, despite Stephen Henderson having arrived back on loan from West Ham on transfer deadline day.

Loach – who has been wearing pink boots and gloves to raise money for breast cancer research – looked set to play again at Ewood Park at the weekend. However, he will once again be replaced by Henderson – this time because of injury, rather than form; the latter having been the case earlier in the campaign.

“Sadly for Loachy he’s just sprained his thumb this morning,” said Blues boss Mick McCarthy, who is still recovering from the virus which saw him miss the first match of his lengthy managerial career.

“That’s what you get for keeping a clean sheet! He’s a doubt. In fact, I don’t think there is any chance of him playing. I can’t put a timeframe on it, we’ll just have to assess it.

“Stephen Henderson’s still got that 24-hour recall clause, which wasn’t what we wanted, but thankfully Sam (Allardyce) was happy for him to come back. It’s good to have him back – even more so now.”

Meanwhile, winger Lee Martin is also still a doubt with the hamstring strain which kept him out of last weekend’s match. His absence would see Daryl Murphy continue on the left of midfield, with Aaron Mclean and David McGoldrick’s flourishing strike partnership given the chance to further blossom.

“Lee Martin has got a bit of a hamstring problem still and he remains a doubt for Saturday,” said McCarthy.

Town’s only other concern is skipper Carlos Edwards. The 34-year-old right-winger played in a 2-0 home friendly defeat for Trinidad and Tobago against Peru on Wednesday and will have his fitness tested after the long journey.

“I haven’t seen him yet,” said McCarthy. “He’s got remarkable levels of fitness though Carlos Edwards – especially for a guy of 34. I need to find out what he’s done and how he is first.”

– See tomorrow’s EADT and Ipswich Star for McCarthy’s thoughts on watching last weekend’s action live on his iPad, Michael Chopra’s Twitter controversy and chief executive Simon Clegg’s exit.