Former Blue Richard Naylor could return to the Leeds side facing Town at Portman Road tomorrow as manager Simon Grayson looks for his team to bounce back from the midweek 6-4 home defeat to Preston. The Whites were 4-1 up prior to the Lancastrians’ remarkable comeback.

Grayson says club captain Naylor, who has been kept out of the side by another former Blue Alex Bruce, is very much in his thoughts: “Richard is an experienced ex-Ipswich player but whether he plays tomorrow we will have to wait and see.

“I have told the players that I’ve still not decided what my team is going to be. I’ve changed it about 12 times since Tuesday night and will probably change it again before the kick-off.”

If Naylor does play, it will be the first time he has faced the club where he spent 15 years since his move to his hometown side in January 2009.

Town boss Roy Keane says Naylor and Bruce deserve appreciation from their former supporters: "I didn't work with the boy Naylor but the staff here have only got good things to say about him.

"He is a rare breed in football now, having spent 15 years at one club and then having moved to Leeds, he has played a big part in their success over the last couple of years as well.

"I'm sure he will get a great reception from our fans and deservedly so, and it will be the same with Alex. He did a good job for us here but he got frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities and decided to move on.

"It will be nice to see him back here and I'm sure the supporters will show their appreciation for two players who gave everything for Ipswich Town."

Leeds could also recall winger Robert Snodgrass after suspension, while former Cardiff striker Ross McCormack, who held talks regarding a move to Portman Road in the summer, is a doubt. Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Fede Bessone, Leigh Bromby, Aidan White, Kasper Schmeichel, Ben Parker and Billy Paynter are all sidelined with injury.

Town will be without suspended midfielders David Norris and Luke Hyam, while Shane O’Connor and Luciano Civelli are unlikely to be involved in the squad as they recover from hamstring and knee injuries respectively. Central defender Tommy Smith has an ongoing back problem but will probably be on the bench.

Alan Quinn remains the Blues’ only long-term absentee with the groin injury he sustained at Leiston in pre-season.

Photo: Action Images

Smithy added 09:30 - Oct 1 He and Bruce at the back, mouth watering...................for us! if we can't score against them we're in trouble! Great chance to break our first half duck!
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kenanfurlong added 09:41 - Oct 1 Agree with Smithy. This should be a turkey shoot on Saturday. In fairnesss to Keane the vast majority of his cast offs aren´t exactly setting the world on fire elsewhere - Garvan, Counago, Stead, Bruce etc
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Keaneish added 10:02 - Oct 1 Yep, fingers crossed Bruce is at the back, he'll have given us a couple of pens and an OG by half-time...if he's still on the pitch. 4-4-2 Saturday: Fulop Brown Mcauley Smith ODea Edwards Leadbitter Livermore Peters Priskin Scotland Townsend, Lambe and Wickham all off the bench at some stage, injuries and yellow cards against the dirty Leeds permitting. Priskin and Scotland to play as a front two as well, not Scotland in behind. Optimistic on this one 3-0.

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Smithy added 10:09 - Oct 1 Hows about this line up? FULOP EDWARDS McAULEY O'DEA KENNEDY TOWNSEND LIVERMORE LEADBITTER PETERS WICKHAM SCOTLAND BENCH: Brown Murphy Smith Healy Hourihane Priskin Lambe
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svendust added 10:20 - Oct 1 I agree we need attacking full backs but maybe not to the extent of playing Edwards there, although I'm aware he's filled that role previously. I would play: Fulop Peters McAuley O'Dea Kennedy Edwards Livermore Leadbitter Townend Scotland Priskin / Wickham Can't decide whether to start with Priskin or Wickham (didn't think I'd be saying that at the start of the season!)

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stiffshorts added 10:26 - Oct 1 Uh oh, the optimists are back in the room. I just wish I shared your "glass half full" view. we've only scored 5 at home they've only conceded 6 away If they score first I guess we'll lose. But, at some stage the open goal missers Scotland & Priskin must hit the net.. must'nt they?? Law of averages?? If so we could do well, but.... I think we'll do well to get a draw, we seem to crumble in "must win" games. Make no mistake we need to win this otherwise we're beginning to drift already........

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BrightBlue added 10:33 - Oct 1 I like the sound of all the teams above. Having the very versatile Mr Peters playing down the right with Carlos would enable them to overlap each other providing good cover. Also Townsend can play on both wings and this would cause a real problem for Leeds with Peters, Edwards and Townsend changing! I am expecting to see a very attacking game tomorrow from the blues...... a real opportunity to get our strikers some confidence ........ 3 - 0!

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BobbyRobson added 11:53 - Oct 1 I'd play Fulop Peters Mcauley Smith O'dea Edwards Leadbitter Townsend Priskin Wickham Scotland
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StowTractorBoy added 12:38 - Oct 1 Agree with your team Svendust but people on here are being a but harsh about Naylor and Bruce. Remember they will be fired up for this so I do not expect an easy ride. If we score 2 we will do well particularly the way Keano sets his teams up. Not that I am complaining about that I just think Leeds will be no pushovers particularly in view of the six goals conced in midweek.

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ozzy_itfc added 13:14 - Oct 1 Leeds have sold out their 2500 allocation so they'll be very very loud
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Back_The_Boss added 13:28 - Oct 1 We have to start playying more attackingly.
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wem_1999_2000 added 14:26 - Oct 1 Really think priskin needs to start this one in a 4-4-2 formation. Bring whickham on second half for Scotland or priskin depending on who is doing what. Edwards and townsend are great at causing problems, put peters right-back. Fullop, peters Mac Smith Kennedy, Edwards livemore leadbitter townsend, priskin scotlnad. Big game a win will see us back in the top 6. A loss and we'll be mid-table.

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whoppit added 15:57 - Oct 1 3-0 Leeds I am afraid.
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bluelady added 16:05 - Oct 1 i can see either Naylor or Bruce getting sent off tomorrow! these guys are good at scoring goals but i think the defence will be there for the taking..... Some good teams above, agree we do need an attacking format. Definately two up front Priksen and Scotland for me, with Wickham on the bence. Not sure if i prefer Peters or Edwards at right back but definately one of them and not Eastman. personally prefer Troy Brown to Eastman so that is another option, with either Edwards or Peters used in the second half for fresh legs...... Whoppit lets just hope our players have more belief n themselves than you clearly have!!!

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svendust added 16:13 - Oct 1 stiffshorts please stay at home tomorrow, your constant negativity is tiring
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Acen added 16:23 - Oct 1 Bam Bam!
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whoppit added 16:55 - Oct 1 I think blue lady fancies me !!!!
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jas0999 added 18:04 - Oct 1 Bruce and Naylor at the back ... good news for us. Both try 100% but are sadly very poor defenders. Wickham and Scotland should do well - assuming we play 4-4-2 that is!
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suffolksam added 08:09 - Oct 2 mars could crash into us next week. i notice there are a lot of " could" headlines on here. seems a bit tabloidy
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