Mick McCarthy welcomed Ipswich Town under-23s victory at Millwall on Monday, although the scoreline was probably not at the forefront of his mind.

The Blues won 2-1, courtesy of goals from Teddy Bishop and Danny Rowe, but the fact that several squad players were given valuable playing time was more significant as far as the Town boss was concerned.

Ahead of a tough Easter period, against Burton Albion (tomorrow) and Newcastle United on Easter Monday, a number of players featured in the game to ensure they remain in the best possible condition should they be selected.

“It going to be tough, it’s a tough ask Easter, it always is when the games come thick and fast so, that’s the reason so may (players) played for the under-23s (at Millwall) on Monday,” said McCarthy.

Teddy Bishop, Doz (Andre Dozzell) played, Danny Rowe, Dominic Samuel, Kieffer Moore, Josh Emmanuel, Diggers (Paul Digby) as well, so we had a strong team out there and that was just to give them 90 minutes, so if they need to be called upon then they will be ready.”

The aforementioned Bishop has struggled with injuries this season and has had a stop-start career since he broke through with such quality in the play-off season of 2015.

“He has got back a couple of times and then got injured again, he has had a terrible time through injury,” admitted the Ipswich manager,

He is just about clear of it now, he had 90 minutes (at Millwall), I think it was his second in the 23s so it’s nice to see him back and it would be lovely to have him back, fully-fit.

“But I can’t organise his fitness, he has just got to get over his injuries and it’s been terrible for him.

“I feel really sorry for him because he is such a talented player as he’s proven when he has played. We could say the same for Jonny Williams.

“He is another one who is such a talent but has had so many injuries, and it’s not given me a chance to play him.”

Cole Skuse will be fit to play today, having missed the last two games with concussion, but defenders Stephen Taylor and Jonas Knudsen are out for the season with hamstring and shoulder injuries respectively.