McCarthy could be up against one of his former leaders at Bolton
Bolton's Karl Henry (left) was a key man for Wolves under Mick McCarthy's management. Photo: PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy could come up against one of his former captains when the Blues take on Bolton this afternoon.
Karl Henry played under McCarthy for more than five years when they were together at Wolves, after being signed from Stoke in 2006, and was part of the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2009.
The central midfielder is battling to recover from hamstring and back problems in time to face his former boss, having been a major influence on 21st-placed Bolton since making his debut on September 26. Had the season started on that day, the Trotters would sit 11th in the table, five points off the play-offs.
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“I had him for five years I think after signing him from Stoke,” McCarthy said of Henry. “We had him play a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa and I said at half-time we would take him.
“He was excellent for me. A really good player and a good captain who I still keep in touch with now.
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“He’s a good character to have, certainly.”
Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s game, Bolton boss Phil Parkinson admitted Henry’s fitness would require a late decision.
“He is definitely getting closer,” Parkinson told The Bolton News.
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“He had a bit of a setback at the end of last week but we’re monitoring him on a day-to-day basis.
“We know he is an important player for us. If he’s right he’ll be back in the squad but if not we’ll have to leave him for two weeks until Bristol City.”
