Jim Magilton is the latest player to be confirmed in George Burley's line-up for Saturday's crucial six-pointer against Southampton. Already Burley has indicated that Titus Bramble will replace John McGreal at the heart of the defence.

With Sixto Peralta out it looks like Town will have a midfield of (from the right) Finidi George, Jim Magilton, Matt Holland and Jamie Clapham, with perhaps Martijn Reuser and outsider for the left midfield position.

Magilton was one of the players to stand out during Saturday's friendly with Alania Vladikavkz in Cyprus and will no doubt look forward to facing the Saints.

Magilton played for Southampton from 1994 to 1997 and made 154 appearances for them, scoring 18 goals. He joined them from Oxford for £600,000, eventually moving on to Sheffield Wednesday for £1.6 million joining Town in 1999.

Chris Makin is expected to join in training today after missing out so far this week with a foot injury. With full-backs fairly low at the club a recall for Gary Croft may be on the cards if he fails to make it. George Burley though is confident that Makin will be OK.

Marcus Bent has got over his hamstring injury while Mark Venus is set to line-up alongside Titus Bramble. Venus has trained for the last two days and has felt nothing from his troublesome knee.

Aside from Sixto Peralta Alun Armstrong looks the only real doubt with his sore back, picked up on the Cyprus trip. Pablo Couñago, with a goal against Alania and two in the reserves last week, looks set to take a place on the bench.

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