Blues boss Paul Jewell says he knows who will come into the side in place of centre-half Danny Collins at Leicester on Boxing Day but was keeping his cards close to his chest at this afternoon’s press conference. Collins returned to parent club Stoke on Monday.

Jewell says he has three alternatives: “Damien Delaney’s training, we’ve got Ívar Ingimarsson and we’ve got Tommy Smith.

“None of them have played a lot of football in recent times, but one of them will partner Sonks, providing nothing goes wrong with Sonks between now and Boxing Day.

“One of them will come into the team and I’ve got a team in my mind that I think I’m going to play at Leicester. But it’s Thursday today and we don’t play until Monday, so there’s quite a bit of training yet.”

Ingimarsson would appear to be the favourite having been involved in more senior football over the last few months and having played alongside Sonko during their time together at Reading.

The Blues boss has confirmed that keeper Richard Wright and skipper Grant Leadbitter are fully fit to return to the starting line-up if selected.

Midfielder Andy Drury is back at the club after 93 days on loan at Crawley and Jewell says the 28-year-old will also come into his thoughts: "Andy has been playing football for the last three months and he is looking sharp and fit.

"He's back here now and is a part of our squad so, like the rest of the players, he will be considered for selection as well."

Photo: Action Images

AYACCA added 13:29 - Dec 22 I'd like to see Drury given a chance. He looked very confident and good on the ball everytime i saw him. Plus he's only 28!
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ITFC4daprem added 13:30 - Dec 22 give Smith a game
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RYITFC added 13:31 - Dec 22 Is Reece Wabara the most pointless loan signing ever? We are crying out for a right back yet he doesn't get a look in. So you think ok, it must be because he's naturaly a centre half and isn't even in contention whilst Ingi and Tommy Smith are. If your not going to give loan players games, don't bother getting them.
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arc added 13:35 - Dec 22 Smith and Sonko. Let Ibrahima be the wise veteran guiding the younger player; it'll bring the best out of both of them.
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:42 - Dec 22 To RYITFC - Wabara was brought in because there was a good chance then that Edwards was going to spend some time at her Majesty's pleasure. I'd play Smith alongside Sonko rather than Ingimarsson, as Smith's left footed, and Delaney may not be fully fit after injury
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tractorboy2434 added 13:52 - Dec 22 I should hope he does know as he is supposed to be our manager ! I cannot make out why we signed Wabara either, but come January when the other loans are gone we may find out.
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Lanky added 14:45 - Dec 22 I didn't think I'd ever say this but.. Delaney please!
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s6blue added 15:05 - Dec 22 guess it s a case of which waste of space will not spanner it as much --- toss a coin jewell
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Garv added 16:19 - Dec 22 If Delaney is fully fit then I would go with him, he's been good when called apon this season, bar Southampton and Pboro (although he was playing alongside two donkeys). But I expect Ingimarsson to be picked. I would say give Drury a place on the bench but then you've got to drop Jimmy completely, and I know who I would want to come on if the game needed changing! Same team please bar Collins obviously.

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TractorTrog added 16:58 - Dec 22 Ing was PJ signing so I would think unless unfit he would want to see him on although having said that I agree with Garv Delaney would be a good chioce
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Moscow_Blue added 17:21 - Dec 22 How about JET at centre back alongside Sonko? I really have little confidence in the alternatives (Delaney, Smith,...)
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jas0999 added 17:36 - Dec 22 Good grief - what a choice! Delaney is the best of a bad lot. I still simply can't understand why PJ left it until after the transfer window closed before addressing the CB position. He had from early May to end of August - almost 4 MONTHS to sort it - why didn't he? No excuses please - PJ messed this up.
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Surco72 added 18:19 - Dec 22 Jewell got 3 centre backs in Sonks,Ivar and Collins and almost Pearce from Pompey ,already had Delaney and Smith more than ample cover for centre back not his fault with injuries and Smith hitting poor form .How many centre backs do you want the club to sign Jas0999 ?
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Steelmonkey added 18:27 - Dec 22 Agree with most on here, what an absolute shambles Jewel has made in not sorting out decent defenders for such critical positions. However it will not deminish my support for the team, whatever the line up is. C.O.Y.Blues, keep the run going. By the way, think that Stockdale got shown up against Man utd for what he is - a very average keeper.
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brogansnose added 18:39 - Dec 22 Sonko needs wrapping in cotton wool. Nugent must be looking forward to Boxing day against us more than usual.
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tractorboy2434 added 19:07 - Dec 22 I bet Nugent has his boots on already !!!
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Karlosfandangal added 20:21 - Dec 22 Maynard is up for sale by Bristol City as they cant agree a contract, so buy Sharpe and Maynard and sell Priskin and Ellington go and maybe Scotland too. Or by the both and let Priskin, Ellington and Scotlands contract run down
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singingtheblues added 22:55 - Dec 22 you've got to give smith a go - he has a fair bit of experience but is still young - he's had some poor form & made some howlers - at some point the decision has to be made of whether he's in or out - you can't keep him on the sidelines because you're afraid to play him - if that's the case then let him go - if he is fit enough then you've got to give him a go to prove himself - potentially he's another 10yrs left on his career - he gould become a vital player for town going forward if he can up his confidence & start realising some of that potential

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bobble added 05:10 - Dec 23 just draw a straw
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westleydan added 08:40 - Dec 23 I'd go for Sonko and Smith, let Imbrahima's experience lead Tommy. If smith starts would you want another inexperienced player next door at RB in the form of Wabara? Nice to see how everyone agrees Cresswell has a cemented place at LB - Great player. Since the second half at Barnsley, our defence has been good. If we can come on against the Foxes like we did the second half Vs the Tykes I think we will all be happy blues. Any decent manager should be able to motivate the players in the same sort of way more than just once?.. I'm not looking forward to Leicester away, I will be honest, hopefully I'll have some nice christmas presents to fall back on if all goes to pot. COYB!

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saffronblue added 09:25 - Dec 23 I'd like to see Smith given a go or JET as these players should be the future of the club but suspect that PJ will play Inga as he has played with Sonko at Reading.
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