Town could be without Gareth McAuley, Darren O’Dea, Connor Wickham and Jimmy Bullard when they take on already-relegated Preston in the season’s final home game on Saturday. Defenders McAuley and O’Dea have definitely been ruled out, while striker Wickham and midfielder Bullard are both doubts with rib and knee injuries respectively, having missed the defeat at Swansea on Monday.

Manager Paul Jewell said: “Connor and Jimmy are doubts for the weekend. Gareth McAuley’s out and Darren O’Dea’s out, so we’re pretty much stretched at the moment.

“Troy Brown came off the bench on Monday, so Troy will be in contention. Jimmy or Connor might be fit, they’re doubts but if there’s any doubt they won’t play, although they’re both desperate to play.

“I don’t like ruling people out on a Thursday but certainly Darren O’Dea has a nasty ankle injury and he’s out for the season. He won’t play and Gareth McAuley won’t be fit either because he’s got a tear in his groin.”

The Town boss says he considered recalling Tommy Smith from his loan spell at Colchester but has decided that the New Zealand international can remain with the League One side at least for this weekend.

In addition to the injuries, Lee Martin will serve the final game of his three-match ban.

Photo: Action Images

dan_itfc55 added 10:21 - Apr 28 I definitely think some members of the victorious reserve team should be rewarded with a step up to the first team. It will be a good experience for them - especially the youngsters.
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s6blue added 10:21 - Apr 28 O'dea and key in the same sentence?
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superblueflude added 10:26 - Apr 28 S6BLUE must admit i laughed when I saw that
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Hamish1979 added 10:27 - Apr 28 I will never have to watch Darren O'Dea in an Ipswich Shirt again. Things are looking up.
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bontcho added 10:28 - Apr 28 A chance for Shane O'Connor or Joe Whight at left back?
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TimmyH added 10:29 - Apr 28 get the youngsters on!...good opportunity to see what they can do
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blue1 added 10:31 - Apr 28 I agree give some of the defenders a go who played reserves this week - we have nothing to lose and it will be a great experience for them.
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superblueflude added 10:32 - Apr 28 Would love to see Delaney and Eastman, O'Connor at Left back, Peters at right back. Cant do any worse
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Surco72 added 10:34 - Apr 28 Play OConnor at left back where he should have been playing weeks ago , Brown at centre back . Murphy Edwards,Brown,Delaney,OConnor Carson,Leadbitter,Bullard(if fit),Peters Wickham,Scotland If Bullard and Wickham dont make it play Hyam/Healy and Murray .Norris can sit with Mac until he signs his contract .
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daniel9624 added 10:39 - Apr 28 Best news i have read on here for ages!!!!! Hopefully we will go for youth as opposed to bringing back Kennedy, Healy, Scotland.......................
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ramseyn added 11:19 - Apr 28 Just a word of warning for all those 'play the youngsters, nothing to lose, last home game etc' statements. Remember Sheff Utd last home game last season and that's exactly what Keane did, we were stuffed and everybody moaned.
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BlueBoots added 11:20 - Apr 28 -------------- Fulop ------------------- Peters - Brown - Delaney - O'Connor -------------- Hyam ------------------- -------- Norris - Leadbitter ---------- Carson ------------------------- Civelli -------------- Murray ------------------ That is all...
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blueherts added 11:20 - Apr 28 Well as this is a 'dead rubber' lets ask St Ledger and Billy Jones to play for us !!! I would take them at the back !!
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hadleighboyblue added 11:21 - Apr 28 let's hope our inspirational skipper picks up a groin strain as well , give jimmy the armband , he's a true leader
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blueherts added 11:21 - Apr 28 blueboots like it
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Suffolk_n_Good added 11:22 - Apr 28 PLEASEEEE NOT SCOTLAND!!!!, Tell you what, if this mini injury crisis means Scotland has to play, I'll give me Grandma a bell & see if shes free on Sat instead!! I think I may have a pair of boots that will fit her!!!! Seriously, she would do a better job!!!
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HighgateBlue added 11:23 - Apr 28 I don't think Smith has been well handled I'm afraid. I would have preferred to see him at LB instead of the hapless O'Dea, and when our genuinely first choice CBs are missing he should be first in the frane to step up. But with nothing to lose, I agree with the majority - give yoof a chance.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 11:40 - Apr 28 perhaps i'll just cut the lawn instead on saturday afternoon
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gypo added 12:42 - Apr 28 Jimmy and Connor bugger, o'dea not bothered , And the I want to stay at ipswich but won't sign the contract two can feck off. they've had the contracts on the table long enough now.
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HolbrookBlue added 12:47 - Apr 28 Can it be assumed that we will not see Mcauley again in an Ipswich shirt? Playing the youngsters is fine by me but what about those people who have bought tickets - after all this is graded as a Class A match. I have asked the club why but they have failed to respond
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SouperJim added 12:55 - Apr 28 Holbrook to assume makes an ass of u and me. If an injury depleted nothing to play for Town vs an already relegated Preston can be a "Class A" match, what does a "Class B" look like? Another epic win for MEG. It'll be Brown in for McAuley, Kennedy for O'Dea, Healy in for Bullard and Drury in for Wickham, Scotland up front. That is all.
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BlueVelvet added 12:55 - Apr 28 None appearance of players doesn't always relate to injury, clubs have a tendancy to tell fibs when deals are being done. Bring on the youngsters, Preston may not bother turning up anyway - wots the point. Would be silly to damage KW some more before he is sold over the summer
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GeorgiDoundarov added 12:57 - Apr 28 First off - I don't see O'Dea as a "Key" member and second - it may be a blessing in disguise as PJ will be forced to use some of the reserves and this is what he is supposed to do in the first place at this stage of the season when there is nothing to fight for.
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blueherts added 15:08 - Apr 28 CW - bye bye
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chripswich added 15:11 - Apr 28 i remember a few players missing meaningles games at the end of last season with supposed injuries...those players werent at the club the following august..
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