Town are waiting on full-back Moritz Volz ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace. The German has a groin problem and is rated 50/50 to take his place at right-back, but better news is that the Blues can call on midfielder Veliche Shumulikoski after his one-game ban.

If fit, Volz is likely to take his usual role at on the right of the defence with David Wright out for around another week with his hamstring problem. Otherwise, Alex Bruce will play in the right-back position he filled last week until Iván Campo picked up the calf problem which will keep him out for a month.

Ideally, boss Jim Magilton would want Bruce to line-up alongside Gareth McAuley at the centre of the defence, but if the Irish international is required on the right then Dutch youngster Pim Balkestein will come in alongside the Town skipper.

Town's central options are limited with Richard Naylor joining Leeds on loan earlier in the week and Tommy Smith still out with his broken ankle, although now walking without crutches. Ben Thatcher is set to continue at left-back with Richard Wright in goal.

In midfield, Owen Garvan could be OK to return in the centre after a sub appearance last week, having missed a number of games through a variety of illnesses. The Irishman could come in for Tommy Miller.

Veliche Shumulikoski will also be looking for a return to the side with the Blues likely to go for the 4-5-1 formation they have used away from home on a number of occasions this season.

Garvan, Shumulikoski and David Norris will probably be the central three with Danny Haynes on the right. That would see Jon Walters again used on the left. Walters has revealed that up to now his season has been affected by an intermittent nerve-related leg problem which at times left him unable to walk.

However, last season's Player of the Year is hopeful that he can get back to top form with the injury now gone: "It didn't matter how many painkillers I was taking, it would just come on. I had six or seven MRI scans which didn't show anything and you keep thinking it has to be there.

"I would come in for treatment on a Sunday and would be walking down the corridors holding the walls. I'm happy to be running around and training again now.”

Up front, Kevin Lisbie has been far more impressive away from home than at Portman Road this season and could be the man to get the nod as the lone striker. Pablo Couñago, Jon Stead and possibly Dean Bowditch will be looking for some action from the bench.

Town assistant manager John Gorman says he feels the Blues may be more suited to games away from home: "Being away can be better sometimes because teams can express themselves away. Palace will come at us and that will allow us to get behind them.

"There is no greater incentive for the players than to go to Stamford Bridge the following Saturday.

"They can go there and enjoy it, but the most important game is Palace and getting three points there. Getting three points is probably preferable.

"The season can change very quickly. Anyone can beat anyone. Palace went on a good run last year when Neil Warnock took over and someone else has to do that. Someone has to take things by the scruff of the neck and get on a run.”

Gorman, who admits to touchline clashes with Palace boss Neil Warnock in the past but says they get on off the field, says Town are looking to improve their shooting after failing to take chances against Sheffield Wednesday a week ago: "The training has been good and positive. The lads have been working on finishing. It wasn't as good as it could have been but we are working on that.

"It will be a hard game. They are a decent side but on the day they can be beaten.”

Palace currently sit eighth in the Championship, four points and three places above the Blues with a home record of won seven, drawn four and lost two.

Manager Neil Warnock has defender Jose Fonte back after suspension, while John Oster over a calf injury.

Left midfielder Victor Moses picked up an ankle problem in the FA Cup victory over Leicester in midweek and Sean Scannell, an Irish U21 team-mate of Owen Garvan, is likely to replace him.

Central defender Paddy McCarthy underwent a shoulder operation this week and will be unavailable for three months, while midfielder Ben Watson, reportedly a Town target in the summer, is out with a groin strain.

Former Blue James Scowcroft is likely to be on the bench, probably alongside Shefki Kuqi, after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Alan Lee completes a trio of ex-Town strikers at Selhurst Park. The Irishman will start, with one of the other two probably replacing him at some stage in the game.

Kuqi is back in favour again after been frozen out by manager Neil Warnock last season when he made a gesture to fans after being subbed, which led to his loan spell back with the Blues.

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 23 (23) and losing 22 (22). In September, the teams played out a 1-1 draw at Portman Road, Jon Stead scoring for Town and Victor Moses for the Eagles.

Last season, the Blues did the double over Neil Warnock's side, Danny Haynes deflecting home the only goal at Selhurst Park with his face 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 earlier in the season.

The match is the first of two matches between the clubs this week with an FA Youth Cup clash at Portman Road on Tuesday (KO 7pm).

Saturday's referee is Clive Penton from Sussex, who has shown 55 yellow and four red cards in 15 games so far this season. Coincidentally, Penton's last Town game was the corresponding match last season in which he booked Blues Stephen Bywater and Danny Haynes and Eagles Julian Speroni and Neil Danns.

Likely squad: R Wright, Supple, Volz, Thatcher, McAuley, Bruce, Balkestein, Shumulikoski, Garvan, Norris, Miller, Quinn, Walters, Haynes, Lisbie, Couñago, Stead, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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