Jody Craddock Out Until New Year

This is a kick in the gut as we don't know how longer we could perservere with Richard Stearman at the back, we miss him badly. Initially, the injury was to the hip, but has gone down to the thigh and Jody states on Twitter it will take three weeks to recover and I can't Mick McCarthy rushing in a 35-year-old into the festive schedule of the season so he won't be seeing action until the new year.

Jody Craddock: Sorely missed.

The sooner he returns, the better.

'Grobs'

Karl Henry Out For Two Months, Defenders On Comeback Trail

Nobody wants an added casualty to our busy injury list and losing our leader and hardman for two months is a kick in the teeth and some will see this as a blow as others will see it as a blessing in disguise. Maybe this could be an opportunity for our other holding midfielder, defender-cum-anchor Michael Mancienne to come out of skipper's shadow. Like Henry, he can win a tackle and unlike the skipper, he can travel and spray the ball about forward-thinking intentions, whether he is up to the job without Henry's presence remains to be seen.

On the plus side, Ronald Zubar had his taste of football since his ankle surgey last month this afternoon in the reserves against Arsenal. Kevin Foley's been doing well at right-back but 'Zubes' can play in other defensive areas and to have those options available again is great news. Jody Craddock is another defender on the comeback trail after returning to training yesterday after nursing a hip injury. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the defensive went to pot in the veteran's absense and he should not rush back, especially when the defence is playing like it has been.

'Grobs'