Cole Skuse and Giles Coke are both facing at least a month on the sidelines after picking up injuries at Queens Park Rangers, leaving Mick McCarthy thin on the ground in the centre of midfield heading into his side’s trip to Bristol City.

Skuse suffered a toe ligament injury in the early minutes at Loftus Road before eventually being replaced just before the hour, with replacement Coke taking a bang on the knee which will also see him miss a month of action

Luke Hyam missed that game with a tight calf but could be available, while Jonathan Douglas will miss the visit to Ashton Gate through suspension, leaving McCarthy with selection trouble.

“Cole is out as well for at least a month, it could be six weeks, he’s damaged the ligament in his toe pretty early on in the game,” he said.

“That’s a real blow as well as he’s another one who had it strapped at half-time then it got too much.

“Luke Hyam might be fit but he’s had some trouble with his calf and Dougie is sitting this one out (suspension) as well.

“Giles is out for four weeks as well, he took a bang on his knee, so another one bites the dust.”

Long-term injury victims Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick remain sidelined, as does goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

The Ipswich boss also confirmed that Ryan Fraser is set for six to eight weeks out with a hamstring problem.“Probably six to eight weeks, it’s a real sad one that because he’s been cracking for us,” he said.

“Fair play to him, he held onto the ball for three or four seconds which shows what he’s all about.

“He left the building as positive as ever and hopefully he’ll be back after six or eight weeks.

“We missed him the last time he was out and we’ll miss him this time no doubt.”