Bolton v Ipswich: Goalkeeper Dean Gerken should be fit for Saturday’s trip to Bolton after being forced off with a dead leg in last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to Burnley.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy said: “He’ll be fine I think. He’s done some work with Mally (keeper coach Malcolm Webster) this morning, nothing too physical, and I think he’ll be fine.”

If Gerken does fail a fitness test, Scott Loach would start his first game since August 24 and teenager Michael Crowe would step up to the bench.

The latter, a 6ft 7in tall custodian who grew up in Norway, was kept back from a Wales Under-19 squad this week just in case the Blues need to call upon him for the trip to The Reebok Stadium.

“He’s got huge potential,” said McCarthy. “I’m delighted with what I’ve seen, we’ve tied him down to a longer contract and he be on the bench if needed at any stage – we won’t be getting anyone else in. If he has to play he has to play.”

Town – who have lost three and drawn three on their travels – face a Bolton side who are yet to win at home this season. Their only other injury doubt is striker Daryl Murphy. McCarthy said: “Murphy got a bit of a knock yesterday, he tweaked his groin, but hopefully he’ll be okay.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss – who last week refused to rule himself in or out of the running for the vacant Republic of Ireland job – was asked if there was ‘any change in the Ireland situation’?

He quipped: “No it’s still in the same place. It’s just across from Liverpool and Manchester. If you’re going to go and visit it then you can fly from Stansted or Southend on Aer Lingus or Ryanair.”