Town skipper Matt Holland misses training today with a thigh strain. His fitness will be assessed on Friday and if the thigh is still a problem he will miss what would otherwise have been his 123rd consecutive appearance for Town. It would be the first game Holland would have missed since his transfer from Bournemouth at the beginning of the 97/98 season. Jim Magilton would almost certainly start in his place.

Other questions for Saturday's side surround the right wing-back position. Will it be Mickey Stockwell as on Tuesday? Or will it be Fabian Wilnis as at Portsmouth? Manu Thetis seems set to keep his place with Wayne Brown, excellent at Portsmouth, on the bench as at Crewe. James Scowcroft will start in midfield after starting on the bench at Crewe.

George Burley has confirmed that Town scouts were watching both Grimsby and Luton recently. Town have been linked with the Mariners' Jack Lester and the Hatters' Matthew Spring. Burley indicated, however, that these scouting trips were just two of many and that not too much should be read into them. Expect them both to sign next week then.

Contrary to reports earlier in the week Town are not going to complain to the FA about John McGreal's disgraceful sending off at Portsmouth. Moron referee Paul Alcock refused to look at the video and re-assess his decision which changed the game. McGreal will miss one game, the home match with Man City.

David Johnson will receive his Nationwide Player of the Month award before Saturday's game with Birmingham.

Tickets for Saturday are going like warm buns, if not hot cakes. There are still around 6,000 left, although a lot of these are in the Cobbold Stand. Birmingham have sold their 1,700 allocation.

Issue 51 of TWTD will be on sale around the ground before the game on Saturday. This long awaited issue (sorry) includes an insight into the world of injuries with Town physio David Williams as well as all the usual jokes, whinging and typos.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls