Ipswich v Millwall: Left-sided duo Aaron Cresswell and Jay Tabb have both been passed fit for tomorrow’s visit of Millwall to Portman Road.

Cresswell played every minute of every game last season, but a thigh strain dogged him throughout pre-season and he was unavailable for the 2-1 defeat at Reading (Championship) and 2-0 loss at Stevenage (League Cup).

Tabb came off in the first half of the midweek cup defeat with his arm in makeshift sling after landing heavily on his shoulder.

“He’s fine,” said McCarthy, when asked about Cresswell’s progress. “He trained yesterday and today. That’s good news, as is the fact that Tabby – who took a nasty knock on his shoulder on Tuesday night – has trained fully as well. They’re both fit and raring to go. That’s very pleasing that.”

The availability of both players is a big boost as Town’s left-sided options were beginning to look depleted, back-up left-back Tyrone Mings set to be out for a month with the knee inbjury he sustained at Reading and both Anthony Wordsworth (calf) and Jack Doherty (ankle) also sidelined.

“I thought Tyrone was fantastic at Reading,” said Mccarthy. “You’re always going to miss Cressie and I would have liked him at Reading, but I thought Tyrone was different class. The real heartache for me was that Tyrone was injured in that game.

“Cressie was arguably our best player last year. I think he’s arguably the best left-back in the league – I don’t see one better than him.

“I’m sad when he can’t play for me, but I’m not going to suggest Tyrone Mings did anything but a great job for em at Reading last weekend.

“It’s great to have Cressie back because he is quality.”

Asked how long Mings would be out for, McCarthy said: “I’ve just been speaking to him and he said ‘gaffer, everytime I see an interview I read that I’m going to be out longer!’ I tried to take him off (at Reading) and he played the rest of the game, then I was told he’d be out for a week, then it was three weeks, then it was four weeks. I’d like it to stop there!

“I think they were giving me the optimistic view at the start. As you know I’m pragmatic though and like to deal in realistic things. It’s going to be after the international break before he’s ready.”

– See tomorrow’s EADT for full match preview.