Town welcome back Jon Stead for Saturday's live Sky game against Crystal Palace (KO 5.20pm), the striker having missed Wednesday's Carling Cup tie against Wigan as he was cup-tied. The Blues have injury concerns over full-backs Moritz Volz and David Wright and striker Pablo Couñago.

Stead will probably return to the starting line-up with boss Jim Magilton likely to revert to a team more resembling the sides that faced Reading, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday than the much-changed XI which lost to Wigan.

However, the Town manager may be forced to make changes away from what looks like his first choice back four with Moritz Volz suffering from a tight hamstring and David Wright reporting a calf problem earlier in the week which saw him miss the Wigan game. The Blues are already without Ben Thatcher who is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks with a torn thigh muscle.

Magilton says he has ready made replacements for Volz and Wright if they fail to make it and confirmed that Richard Naylor will return to the side after being rested against Wigan: "We have Alex Bruce and Pim Balkestein who can play at full-back while Richard Naylor will be back in the team after being rested on Wednesday.”

Naylor is likely to partner Gareth McAuley, while the Town boss has plenty of options in midfield. Magilton was impressed with Iván Campo and Tommy Miller against Wigan, but could also decide to recall Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski, who he was pleased with at Sheffield Wednesday.

Campo is yet to make a league start for the Blues but may well get the nod against Palace after looking significantly nearer full fitness against the Latics. Tommy Miller could have done enough to keep his place alongside the Champions League winner.

Alan Quinn, who might be considered as an emergency defensive option should the Blues suffer further full-back injuries, will probably be on the left of midfield with David Norris likely to start on the right.

Jon Walters is expected to join Stead up front, although in the last two league games the Blues have switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 (and then later back again) with Walters moving into a wide midfield role and Norris to a more central position.

Pablo Couñago's ankle injury is not as serious as had been feared and the Spaniard could return to the squad, although Town are unlikely to take any risks. Danny Haynes and Dean Bowditch will be looking for some involvement from the bench.

Magilton says his side have to turn their domination of matches into points: "We have got to gain a stranglehold in the game and then take the ball to the opposition.

"The difference this season from last at Portman Road is that we have not found the net when we have been dominant. We must start doing this again, and hopefully from tomorrow.”

The Town manager says the Eagles' disappointing away form could work against the Blues: "The fact that Palace have lost their three previous away league matches will make them more dangerous and we will have to be aware of this. People might expect us to be on top and gain the points but it will not be that easy.

"I am pleased that neither Alan Lee nor James Scowcroft will be in the side as there is always danger when former players return.

"Both served Ipswich Town very well and I am sure would have got a great ovation if they had been here tomorrow.”

Palace, currently 21st on five points, none of which have been gained on the road, have signed striker Craig Beattie on loan from West Brom with Neil Warnock pleased to have increased his options up front: "We are delighted to have him on board. It's a deal that will suit both clubs."

Beattie is likely to go straight into the Palace team, while former Colchester midfielder Neil Danns could return after a long spell out with a groin injury. Frontman Calvin Andrew is out with a knee problem.

Former Blues Alan Lee, James Scowcroft and Shefki Kuqi are all in the Palace ranks at present, although none are likely to face the Blues. The Finnish international has been frozen out by manager Neil Warnock since last season when he made a gesture to fans after being subbed, while Lee and Scowcroft both have hamstring injuries.

None of the current Town squad has ever been a Palace player, although Jon Stead and Alan Quinn both played under Warnock when at Sheffield United.

Town have had the upper hand on the Eagles over the years, winning 28 of the games between the sides (26 in the league), drawing 22 (22) and losing 22 (22).

Last season, the Blues did the double over Neil Warnock's side, Danny Haynes deflecting home the only goal at Selhurst Park to give Town their second away win of the season in February, with Jon Walters having the netted the winner in a 1-0 victory at Portman Road in August.

Saturday's referee is Darren Deadman from Cheshunt, who has shown a somewhat alarming 26 yellow and three red cards in six games so far this season.

Deadman's last Town game was the 3-0 pre-season defeat to Stevenage in the summer of 2007, while his most recent league match involving the Blues was the 2-1 home victory over Burnley in February 2006. During that game Deadman awarded Town a late penalty which Matt Richards, a spotkick hero for loan club Brighton earlier this week, converted.

Likely squad: R Wright, Volz, D Wright, Balkestein, Bruce, Naylor, McAuley, Campo, Miller, Garvan, Shumulikoski, Norris, Walters, Quinn, Haynes, Walters, Stead, Lisbie, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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