Midfielder Emyr Huws not ready to make Ipswich return

Posted Friday, November 03, 2017 by PA

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed Emyr Huws will not be involved for the visit of Preston as the midfielder continues to recover from an Achilles problem.

Ted Bishop is also back in training following his groin/hernia problem, but is not yet in contention, although forward Joe Garner is in line to face his old club.

New Zealand defender Tommy Smith is fit again from his hamstring injury and made his first start since August in the Sky Bet Championship defeat at Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Tom Adeyemi has been sidelined by a hamstring problem, while Luke Hyam (knee) continues his recovery. Andre Dozzell (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Preston's defensive injury crisis has only grown ahead of the trip to Suffolk.

Already stretched in that area, North End lost Calum Woods and Josh Earl against Aston Villa on Wednesday to suspected medial ligament knee injuries.

Captain Paul Huntington is at least back from suspension, and he will line up at centre-back alongside Andy Boyle, with Ben Davies (appendix), Tommy Spurr (knee), Tom Clarke (Achilles) and Greg Cunningham (knee) all out.

Back-up goalkeeper Declan Rudd and full-back Marnick Vermijl are also currently injured for a North End side that have lost three on the trot.