McCarthy keeps the faith
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy could opt to keep faith with the same starting line-up who held runaway Championship leaders Cardiff last weekend when second-bottom Barnsley visit Portman Road.
Town became only the second side this season to keep a clean sheet against the Bluebirds and the first in the Welsh capital when they played out a goalless draw.
And, with no new injury or suspension problems expected, McCarthy is unlikely to see any reason for change.
That means home debuts for strikers David McGoldrick and Aaron Mclean, with fellow new boys Patrick Kisnorbo and Frank Nouble again on the bench.
On-loan right-back Bradley Orr may well be returning to parent club Blackburn later this month as new Rovers boss Michael Appleton opts to take a look at his entire squad, despite Town extending Orr's stay until the end of the season.
Barnsley midfielder Jacob Mellis could return to the starting line-up for the clash with former fans' favourite McCarthy's Town.
Mellis returned from a seven-game lay-off with a dead-leg as a substitute in last week's derby win over Leeds and could step in for Jim O'Brien, who was stretchered off in the same game after suffering a similar injury and is definitely out.
New manager David Flitcroft, handed the job on a permanent basis on Sunday, has no other new injury or suspension problems and is unlikely to make too many, if any, changes after steering the Tykes to back-to-back victories.
Defender Scott Wiseman was left out of the squad last week after his scheduled move to Blackpool was placed on hold and it remains to be seen whether he is included.
Bobby Hassell and Stephen Foster are pushing for recalls, while teenagers Danny Rose and Reuben Noble-Lazarus are expected to start on the bench again.
Source: PA
Source: PA