Ipswich Town midfielder Emyr Huws is set to undergo surgery on his troublesome Achilles, while striker David McGoldrick may miss Saturday’s Championship visit of Fulham if his wife goes into labour.
The Blues worked hard to sign Huws from Cardiff City this summer following his impressive end-of-season loan spell at Portman Road. Manager Mick McCarthy convinced owner Marcus Evans to shell out a £1m transfer fee for the first time in five years, as well as handing the Welsh international a four-year contract.
Huws, who has had long spells on the sidelines in the past, missed the whole of pre-season with an Achilles problem though and, following a set-back in training on Monday, looks set to go under the knife.
“It looks like he’ll be having an operation,” said McCarthy. “He’s got to go and see James Calder (surgeon) on Tuesday. We’re hoping and praying he won’t need an op, but I’m pretty sure he will.”
Meanwhile, on McGoldrick, the Blues boss said: “He’ll be turning up Saturday morning set to play, but he gets the call to say his wife is in labour then he’ll be off.
“When I was a player you were expected to miss the birth and train or play. That’s not the way now.
“I trained, got to the hospital and saw Anna (eldest of three children) being born, then went and played and we got beat 5-1 by Newcastle. I think I remember that day more for the result than Anna being born! She’s given me more pleasure since, I might add!
“I’d have played football and missed the birth, no doubt. Thankfully I saw all my children being born though and, having done that, I wouldn’t even attempt to stop anybody else doing the same. It’s a great day.”
Cole Skuse has been the latest Town player to be ill this week. He took part in some light jogging today and McCarthy is confident the midfielder will be fit to face the Cottagers as the Blues aim to win their opening five league games for the first time in the club’s professional history.
Summer signing Tom Adeyemi has not featured at all so far due to illness and a calf strain, but returned to training for the first time today.
“I can see all the reasons why I liked him,” said McCarthy. “Hopefully he get a couple of Under-23 games and be involved after the international break.”
Town’s U23s are at home next Monday, then travel to Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday.
Midfielder Luke Hyam, who has had a long spell out with an ankle injury, will continue his recovery in those games after recent outings of 45 minutes and 60 minutes for the 23s.
“If he gets through both those okay he’ll be ready for QPR,” said McCarthy.
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