David McGoldrick returns to the Ipswich Town squad for this weekend’s clash with rivals Norwich but the Canaries are dealing with injuries to key players heading into the game.
The striker has not played since the defeat by Wolves at the end of January due to a knee injury, but returns to the squad for Sunday’s Carrow Road showdown having trained well this week.
The Blues only other worry is back-up goalkeeper Michael Crowe, who was sent home this week due to illness in a bid to ensure it did not spread to the rest of the squad.
“He’s trained this week so he’ll be involved in the next three games,” McCarthy said of McGoldrick.
“It’s been a season of injuries and that was just another one on top of it all, but he’s been out, moving well and back at it.
“We’ve got nothing new injury-wise, apart from Michael Crowe who has been sent home poorly. Hopefully that doesn’t spread to anyone else.”
If Crowe was to miss out, that would mean either Nick Hayes or Harry Wright, son of former Town goalkeeper Richard, taking his place on the bench.
McCarthy’s not overly concerned, though: “If he gets as much to do as every other sub keeper’s had to do all season, we’ll be all right, won’t we?”
Norwich boss Daniel Farke is sweating on the fitness of Timm Klose and Moritz Leitner (both calf), while Ivo Pinto (knee) and Harrison Reed (back) are also being monitored ahead of the game.
“Timm felt some pain after the weekend and wasn’t able to train on Wednesday and Thursday but he returned today and it looks like he’ll be available so I’m not too concerned,” said Farke.
“With Moritz we have to be careful with his load. But he’s in really good shape, it’s just a sign he worked a lot in the last game – he covered the most ground of anyone this season.
“Ivo didn’t feel 100pc comfortable at the beginning of the week but in the last two days he’s looked much improved and looks good.
“Harrison has had some tightness in his back. Harry has done really well in the right-back position, and we’ll have to wait to see what we do for Ipswich and for Wolves. I haven’t taken the decision yet, so I will wait over the next two days.”
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