Skuse ‘gutted’ to miss Ipswich Town’s game at boyhood club Bristol City

The midfielder spent the first 18 years of his football career at Ashton Gate, making more than 300 appearances in all competitions before moving to Portman Road on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

A toe ligament injury, suffered early in last Saturday’s loss at QPR, has ruled him out for 4-6 weeks, meaning he’ll miss out on a return to the club with whom he served his football apprenticeship.

Skuse told the official club site: “I was obviously looking forward to going back to my old club. It’s a massive game anyway but from a personal point of view, it would have had something extra because it would have been my first time back there.

“It was a real random injury. I stood on the back of someone’s foot and overstretched the toe.

“I must admit the first couple of days this week I was really down but it’s football and you get your highs and lows.

“I’ve had people texting me from inside and outside the club saying they were looking forward to me going back there. My family were looking forward to it as well. I’m still going down there to watch but it’s never the same if you are not playing.”

Town’s visit to Ashton Gate will be former teammate Lee Johnson’s first game in charge of City, after returning to Ashton Gate from Barnsley, with Skuse wishing him all the best - after this weekend’s game.

“Johnno has served his apprentice at Oldham and Barnsley and it’s a great job for him.

“I sent him a text wishing him the best of luck - after Saturday!”