Ipswich Town quartet Tom Lawrence, Cole Skuse, Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra are all expected to recover from minor injuries to be available for Saturday’s Championship game at Aston Villa.

Midfielder Skuse had to be substituted in the 21st minute of last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Reading due to an Achilles injury.

“He’s been having treatment and nursing it all week,” said Mick McCarthy. “He’s been out on the grass this morning and will train again tomorrow. Fingers crossed there is no reaction and he’ll be fine.”

The Blues boss added: “Chambo has not trained, but will be back tomorrow and should be fine.

“Tom Lawrence had a real nasty bruise on his foot and has not trained up until today, but he did a bit with Skusey and he looks like being fine.

“Christophe (Berra) had a sore Achilles but again should be alright.

“They are nursing a few little niggles and bumps and bruises, but I should have the same team to pick from and the rest of the squad should be fit.”

Tommy Smith and Myles Kenlock both made injury comebacks on Monday night as a Town Under-23 side thrashed Watford 8-0 at Playford Road. Centre-back Smith underwent back surgery last September, while left-back Kenlock hadn’t played since sustaining a calf injury in the 2-1 defeat at QPR on January 2.

“Tommy Smith won’t be travelling – he’s not ready for that and will admit that himself,” said McCarthy. “Kenlock in better shape to come with us.”

McCarthy had just 11 recognised first-team outfield players to pick from a month ago as a number of academy players were named on the bench for the FA Cup visit of Lincoln.

Now, following seven January signings and the likes of Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick returning from injury, he will have to starting leaving some out of the matchday squad altogether.

New loan striker Dominic Samuel was ineligible to face his parent club last weekend, but comes into the reckoning after scoring a hat-trick for the Under-23s on Monday.

Winger Danny Rowe, a £100k signing from Macclesfield, also caught the eye with his 45 minutes on Monday but may have to bide his time as he is still not fully over a hip/groin problem.

Kevin Bru, Jonathan Douglas, Andre Dozzell and Paul Digby were all left out last weekend.