David McGoldrick should go straight back into the Ipswich Town line-up when he returns from injury.
So says Blues legend Kevin Beattie, as Town’s talisman nears full fitness after his horror groin injury sustained against Sheffield Wednesday last month.
McGoldrick has been in great form this season for the Blues, notching six goals, as Mick McCarthy’s team continue to sit in and around the Championship play-offs.
With a busy Christmas schedule ahead, the return of ‘Didzy’ will be welcome for Blues’ fans – and Beattie wouldn’t sit him on the bench!
“Put him straight back in the team if he’s fully fit and ready to go,” the former England defender said.
“I know he’s had some nasty injuries, but he’s one of three players I feel are Premier League quality in Mick’s squad – Bartosz Bialkowski and Adam Webster the others.
“McGoldrick is a terrific player, don’t mess about, put him straight back in – the fans would love it.”
Jason Dozzell and the current Portman Road home form feel-good factor
Town face Reading in the Championship on Saturday, hoping to return to the kind of home form that was so dazzling against Nottingham Forest last time out on Suffolk soil. Certainly they will want to put a line under a disappointing defeat at Middlesbrough last weekend.
“I was disappointed about the Middlesbrough result,” Beattie said.
“I thought we might get something out of that. They have been going through a bad spell and I used to play for Boro, so I know how the fans can turn.
“It was a missed opportunity.”
As Town head into what is always a busy time, Beattie admits he used to love to play at this time of the year.
“To me Christmas was a great time to be a footballer,” he said.
“Lots of games. I loved playing. It beat training that’s for sure.
“Yes, there are a lot of matches, there always has been. But we were fit enough to cope and these guys are fit enough to cope.”
After Town play Reading this weekend, they face a stiff test at McCarthy’s former club and current Championship leaders, Wolves, on December 23.
Over Christmas week itself, Town are at home to QPR on Boxing Day, before entertaining Derby County on December 30.
They then travel to Fulham for their first game of the New Year, on Tuesday, January 2, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
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