Midfielder Grant Leadbitter could still be involved in Thursday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road despite being stretchered off after suffering a head injury in the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Bristol City. The 25-year-old was taken to hospital but returned to Ipswich later on that evening.

Manager Paul Jewell said: “He obviously got a bang on the head on Saturday and stayed a bit later in hospital when we came back from Bristol.

“I saw him on Sunday morning and he couldn’t remember a lot about the game. I had to inform him that we played a lot better when he went off.

“He had a bad headache. He wasn’t in yesterday, so hopefully he’ll be in today and if he gets the all-clear, the doctor says he’ll be OK and he feels OK, he’ll play, but I’d say there’s a doubt about him.”

Town have around 300 restricted view seats left, available on the phone and to personal callers to the Ticket Office from 9am on a first come, first served basis. A crowd close to 30,000 expected at the first evening East Anglian derby for 13 years.

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 20:21 - Apr 20 I don't rate him to be honest, and I wouldnt moan if he left in the summer.. Hope he's alright, but playing Healy or Drury instead isn't that much of a loss?
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fourth added 20:26 - Apr 20 I really think we need to move on. Leadbitter is (apart from last week) not a scorer, has no defensive value and dashes about in an ephemeral way. I can't really see him as part of the future. He needs to take time out and rechannel his ability into team needs
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lbitfc added 20:28 - Apr 20 I know the scummers have been down to league one, but i dont think its the first east anglian derby for 13 years...
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aejb added 20:30 - Apr 20 Ibtfc you goon... Read again son
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Back_The_Boss added 20:31 - Apr 20 ibtfc - First EVENING East Anglian Derby! Doh!
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StochesStotasBlewe added 20:32 - Apr 20 Leadbitter was one of most consistant performers last season. Ok, his form hasn,t been great by any stretch this term, but, in the last few weeks has been playing much better. He still has an important role to play in our midfield in the future & i really hope he is fit to get stuck into the budgies tomorrow.
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joe9087 added 20:43 - Apr 20 "I had to inform him that we played a lot better when he went off." - gotta love Jewell!!
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clive_baker added 20:43 - Apr 20 People who slag off Leadbitter are clueless. He would walk into most midfields in this league and is a massive player for us. Hope he's fit fit tomorrow.
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SuperTommySmith added 20:48 - Apr 20 lbtfc EVENING read what it actually says
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das_bones added 20:49 - Apr 20 soooooo looking forward to tomorrow night!!! We gota stuff these budgies! Up das town!
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Worcester added 20:51 - Apr 20 If the boss wants to pick him then I hope he is fit but if I were PJ I'd give him the night off it's going to be a tight game and probably won and lost on defensive errors in midfield
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GeorgiDoundarov added 21:10 - Apr 20 I don't know why almost everybody is against Leadbitter?! Yes he is far from perfect but for now he is a valuable player for us. We can think of replacing him only when we are up - he won't be good enough for the Premiership. But for now he can do well in the Championship!
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jas0999 added 21:11 - Apr 20 Good news - we need a player like Leadbitter against Norwich.
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Lightningboy added 22:10 - Apr 20 Hopefully the bang to the head might've woken him up a bit...been disappointed with him since he arrived to be honest & would'nt be sad to see him gone in the summer (for a half decent fee)..never worth £3.5m,far too petulant,doesn't score enough in this division & generally always looks a bit dopey...Bullard,Norris & a n other is who Jewell needs to build our midfield around next season.

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Blue041273 added 22:16 - Apr 20 GL suffers from being an RK recruit - guilt by association. Actually he is a classy footballer with loads of talent. OK his deadball skills have been found wanting and, for me, he doesn't score enough goals. But on his day he links the play between defence and attack brilliantly. If I have a criticism (and it's not an important one) he doesn't seem to have an off field presence. Some of our players have 'rent a quote' reputations but we hear precious little out of Grant. I think this is why some think he lacks a bit of commitment to the cause and that he will be off when his contract runs out.

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tractorboyz82 added 22:19 - Apr 20 some times i think leadbitter trys to hard and the game passes him by.but he is one of best mids in this league.i have moaned myself about him hope under jewell next season we will see him at his best think we paid 2.25 MILLION for him still alot of money.
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tom_the_blue added 23:02 - Apr 20 Lightningboy- we spent a combined total of £3.5M on him and Edwards, not just Leadbitter, which is still a lot of money I suppose, but he is a very good player, especially at this level.
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rosseden added 23:50 - Apr 20 fourth.... ephemeral is a greatly underused word..... i appluad you......
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thorpeblue added 00:23 - Apr 21 He has had a concussion. I admire the player's bravery but he should not play. In rugby union he would have an automatic 2 weeks off. He should not risk another bang on the head. No game is worth a player's health, not even a derby!
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bobble added 02:57 - Apr 21 we have had numerous evenings in the last 30 years. despite maggie thatcher
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CausewayBayBlue added 06:21 - Apr 21 Leadbitter obviously divides opinion. He is guilty of passing the ball sideways too often but I think he is a decent player. Even so...... Jewell wants a defensive midfielder in the summer Jewell wants a playmaker (Bullard / Dyer etc) in the middle Jewell wants to play with two wingers Jewell wants to play two up top No room for Leadbitter in my opinion. It's a shame but he won't stick around to warm the bench.

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DiamondGezzer added 07:06 - Apr 21 Good news that Grant is feeling better and great news he might be O.K for the derby. Enough said !
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Suffolk_n_Good added 08:02 - Apr 21 COME ON YOU BLUEBOYS!!!!
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