Ipswich Town have received a much-needed boost with the news that attacking trio Joe Garner, David McGoldrick and Bersant Celina should all be fit for this Saturday’s Championship opener against Birmingham City at Portman Road.
Summer striker signing Garner was clattered in last weekend’s 6-1 friendly thrashing at Charlton Athletic and was quickly substituted, reporting pain to his shoulder in the dressing room afterwards.
Fellow front man McGoldrick was absent at The Valley after becoming the latest player to be affected by the virus which has swept through the camp, while left-winger Celina – on a season-long loan from Manchester City – has also been ill.
Celina joined in with full training today though, while Garner and McGoldrick took part in some light training and will step up their preparations tomorrow.
It will be welcome news to manager Mick McCarthy who, after dubbing Saturday’s heavy loss to the League One Addicks as ‘embarrassing’, ‘a disgrace’ and ‘a shambles’, recognises his team require a good start to the campaign if the mood is not to quickly turn sour.
He said: “We’ve got to play well on Saturday and we’ve pretty much got to win because if we don’t then it’s starting the season where we left off last season and that’s not good for anybody.
“We had a poor end to the season, Burton and Newcastle wins apart, and this doesn’t bode well for anybody. It hasn’t helped the way people feel about me, or the team or the club getting slapped by six.
“I just hope they (the fans) come along and cheer and support us next weekend. Hopefully we can beat Birmingham. If we don’t then it will be the inevitable.
“I expect a reaction because if we play like that again, we as a club are in trouble and I’m in trouble.”
Midfielder Emyr Huws – who was signed from Cardiff for £1m after a successful loan spell – has sat out the whole of pre-season due to a troublesome Achilles problem. The Welshman was back working in the gym today though and his return to action is hopefully not too far away.
Tom Adeyemi is still out, having been hit by illness the worst, as are fellow midfielders Teddy Bishop (groin) and Luke Hyam (ankle).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here