David McGoldrick is an injury doubt heading into this weekend’s clash with Sunderland but there is good news regarding Cole Skuse’s ankle injury.
McGoldrick, who was subject of late transfer interest from Bolton on deadline day, has not trained this week due to a knock and is a doubt heading into the clash at the Stadium of Light.
Skuse is set to return having missed the defeat by Wolves due a recurring ankle problem, which left him with his foot in a protective boot.
On McGoldrick, McCarthy said: “He’s been injured since the weekend.
“He’s a doubt, I would say, having not trained today.
Skusey’s trained today and he’s all ready to go,” McCarthy added.
“Stephen Gleeson has done everything I would expect of him, he’s a really good passer of the ball and I’m delighted with him, but equally it’s great to have Skusey back.”
When asked about the possibility of Skuse and Gleeson playing together, if Callum Connolly needed a rest, McCarthy said: “I think they could but Callum would have a real problem with me telling him he needs a rest, that might cause a right problem.
“If I told him ‘this is the team I’m picking and going with today’ then there would be no issue. But a rest? I think he would be banging my door down.
“He’s a fit, athletic lad and I’ve not seen too many look after themselves like Callum.
Dean Gerken remains sidelined due to a hip injury, with Michael Crowe continuing to back up Bartosz Bialkowski, with McCarthy hoping the former Colchester player’s issue doesn’t require surgery. He didn’t rule out bringing in a free agent goalkeeper at some stage.
“Let’s wait and see, we’re just hoping he’s going to be alright,” McCarthy said.
“Michael is the back-up now and if he gets the chance. He’s not had many games though, so is anyone available? I don’t know.”
There was concern on Monday when Tom Adeyemi, who has not played since November, was taken off injured in the Blues Under 23 game with Millwall, but McCarthy insists that problem is not as bad as first feared.
“Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as we feared,” McCarthy confirmed.
“Poor old Tommy, he’s felt it and he stopped instantly. It looked far worse than it actually is but it’s still an injury.”
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