Teddy Bishop, Grant Ward and Luke Varney are all injury doubts for Ipswich Town ahead of Saturday’s Championship game at Leeds United.

Forward Varney scored the winner at Derby last Tuesday night after coming on as a half-time substitute then made an immediate impact when stepping off the bench alongside Leon Best in the latter stages of Saturday’s goalless home draw with Aston Villa.

The 33-year-old had to be withdrawn during the first half of Monday night’s 4-0 home win over Leeds in an Under-23 fixture at Portman Road though.

“He’s got a tight hamstring and we’ll wait and see, but he’s a doubt for Saturday,” said McCarthy.

Bishop suffered his injury when he clashed heads with Ashley Westwood last Saturday and McCarthy says Ward has also been feeling the effects of that game.

“Bish has a broken nose and has had a mask made for him and he’s a doubt for Saturday too,” said the Blues boss.

“Grant Ward got a knock in the back a couple of times, so he hasn’t trained with us. But he’s trained today, he’s done some legwork, some running and he’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy confirmed that midfielder Luke Hyam won’t require surgery on the damaged nerve in his knee he suffered in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge.

“It’s good news for Luke,” he said. “He’s been to see the specialist, who did the nerve conduction test again, and he’s improved significantly in that two weeks, so he doesn’t need an operation.”

Central defender Tommy Smith has had his back operation, which is expected to keep him out for 12 weeks, and McCarthy says it went well.

“His has gone great, he’s been encouraged to walk, but he’s got to stay at home. He won’t be coming in for a while,” he said.

“He’s delighted with his surgery, the surgeon was as well. He’s got his feeling and power back in his foot already, so that’s good news. He’s fine.”

David McGoldrick and Jonny Williams remain sidelined with their ankle problems.