McCarthy will have to again rely on the squad available for Sunday's 2-1 home reversal by Wigan - a result which sent them to the bottom of the table.
Skipper Karl Henry (knee), Jody Craddock (hip), Kevin Doyle (thigh), Michael Mancienne (knee) and Steve Mouyokolo (back) are still ruled out.
The only consolation for McCarthy is that winger Matt Jarvis and striker Steven Fletcher will be in contention to start.
They were only fit enough to be on the substitutes' bench against the Latics because of a knee injury and illness respectively.
Source: PA
Source: PA