Blues boss Paul Jewell says a lack of recent training and off-field issues contributed to strike pair Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland dropping to the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Town’s first choice attack only appeared for the final half hour against the Eagles.

Jewell said: “Chops has missed a lot of training — in fact he’s only really been playing matches of late. It’s the same with Jason, he’s missed a lot of training too.

“Both of them have been carrying little problems with their hamstrings and backs, which we’ve been trying to manage. And, like all people, footballers have problems in life away from work too,” he added, referring to what he describes as “personal family issues”.

In addition to Chopra and Scotland’s ongoing problems, Town have doubts regarding defenders Ibrahima Sonko (hamstring) and Damien Delaney (foot) ahead of Saturday’s visit to Millwall.

Left-back Aaron Cresswell is definitely out as he is serving his one-match ban for his red card against Palace.

Mark Kennedy and Reece Wabara are Jewell's main options to come in for the 21-year-old with the Town boss feeling youngster Joe Whight isn't yet ready for a debut and with Shane O'Connor appearing to be out of his plans.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Matteo_Sereni added 12:56 - Oct 26 wife and gambling respectively!!
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SouperJim added 13:14 - Oct 26 So long as the goals keep coming, I don't give a monkeys. 5 for Chopra and 3 for Scotland is a decent return so far, at their current strike rates Chopra is on course for 17 goals this season and Scotland 10. I'd settle for that.
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ITFCBlues added 13:30 - Oct 26 why would you settle for that? We would be no where near the amount we would need to of score if were realistic about top 6...
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irishtim added 13:44 - Oct 26 still think there problems aint as bad as the ordinary bloke struggling to pay bills mortgages etc & xmas around the corner. cmon guys lift our spirits & take us up please
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blueherts added 13:47 - Oct 26 Makes sense now !!! Scotland loses loads of weight , must have a beau in toe !! As for Chops - him and JS been great so far . Maybe why we sniffing around Proctor Chops does have previous so maybe not totally surprise - as long as they keep scoring
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pazelle added 14:50 - Oct 26 Priskin's pissed off and keen, and he doesn't gamble/drink/comfort eat. Stick him up top with Chops Saturday and reap the benefits. He would provide a fillip
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ITFC4daprem added 14:53 - Oct 26 Stockdale Edwards--Ivrangerson--Collins--Whight Andrews Bullard(C)--Bowyer Carson--JET--Martin Subs Cropper Warbra Leadbitter Chopra Scotland
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LowstBlue added 15:05 - Oct 26 ITFC4daprem, you obviously weren't there Saturday if you think JET will be anywhere near our starting line-up for some time! He made Lisbie look like a workhorse.....
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shaunminx added 15:09 - Oct 26 Stockdale Wabara Ingimarsson Collins Kennedy Edwarards Andrews Bowyer Martin Chopra Ellington Subs Lee-Barret O'Connor Bullard Scotland Murphy
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Big_Foot_Blue added 15:19 - Oct 26 Lowstblue, In my opinion I thought JET looked poor but alot better than Ellington did. Bear in mind Ellington played really well previously that just shows how form dips, lets support the lads and respect opinions eh
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fourth added 17:55 - Oct 26 This team is looking more and more Mickey Mouse Off-field issues? Get a grip. Of course with this highly talented team of oldies there will need to be the very best physio availability. It can work But this juvenile stuff with rappîng, gambling and overall inability to concentrate is NOT tolerable. Read them the Riot Act PJ. They will be GRATEFUL
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IvorFeeling added 18:10 - Oct 26 Currently running the training sessions at Playford Rd is the easiest job in Suffolk. One thing I do wonder is that JET must be brilliant during these sessions. As PJ stated that he looks at the training performances for his match day team, else it is last man standing.LOL Would love to have the Beat have a quiet word in his ear about putting a shift in!
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Gazelle added 18:38 - Oct 26 Six games without defeat and we're world beaters but then two defeats and doom and gloom sets in. What's the matter with some of you people.
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IvorFeeling added 18:49 - Oct 26 Gazelle - of all the comments on this thread only Fourth has slated the team (as being Mickey Mouse). So before making a statement based on the Majority of threads please read them first!
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PSGBlue added 18:55 - Oct 26 You don't achieve top six with all your main players suffering with minor injuries or "family" problems all season. Despite six unbeaten we are never going to be more than mid table with the current squad. On their day they can match anyone in this league, but we are never likely to be able to field our stronget team. We need younger players breaking into the team, much like Carson and Cresswell, players who won't get niggles or have outside of work problems. Jordon Rhodes will haunt us forever more as a prime example. Bring back Priskin or even Murphy (slightly desperate!), Priskin deserves one last chance, much better than that donkey Ellington!

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shaunminx added 19:52 - Oct 26 Gazelle can you tell me where the other defeat was? I remember losing Saturday against palace so maybe you can see into the future and see us losing against millwall. If that's the case can you let me know the lottery numbers for Friday and Saturday please.
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jas0999 added 20:52 - Oct 26 Sounds like another excuse to me. I think most of us would possibly accept one of those dropping to the bench - but both? Also, if they were fit enough to come on as Subs, surely they could have started, scored goals and then be taken off? Sorry, PJ got this horribly wrong and now he is trying to worm his way out of it!
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leroy2488 added 22:52 - Oct 26 When your winning and both strikers are scoring you don't drop them both end of. Also if they are not training they will need to play games to keep fit.
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fourth added 07:46 - Oct 27 Ivorfeeling! Yes, well it's not meant to be negative! There has been some refreshingly good football on the pitch. I feel that in football (like life) you have to get it ALL right, not just the easy bits. We know the team is not the youngest around and overall fitness needs to be well in place before the mud comes.
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