Striker Brett Pitman is back in training and should be available for Sunday’s East Anglian derby at home to Norwich City. The 28-year-old has missed the last three matches due to a thigh problem.

“Pits has trained today, it’s his first day back, but he’s training tomorrow and should be available for selection on Sunday,” manager Mick McCarthy said.

However, midfielder Conor Grant remains sidelined with a groin injury he suffered in training earlier in the week.

“Conor’s not, Conor will be back for Preston at best,” McCarthy added. “Other than that everybody’s fine, we cam back from Wolves with a clean bill of health after a good performance with no injuries, thankfully.

Town are also without striker David McGoldrick (ankle), Luke Hyam (knee) and Giles Coke, who is continuing his recovery having undergone knee surgery at the end of last season.

The Blues boss says he’s still looking for additions to his squad ahead of the closure of the transfer window at the end of the month: “We’re still looking, not able to tell you about them.”

Earlier in the summer McCarthy made Polish defender Piotr Malarczyk, winger Cameron Stewart and Coke available but says no one has yet been in contact: “There’s no interest in any of them, no.”

Similarly, no one has made a move to take any of Town’s youngsters on loan: “We’ve had no interest there but, to be honest, the better younger players have all been in the squad and around and on the bench so it’s pretty difficult to let them go anywhere.”

Meanwhile at Norwich, winger Jacob Murphy has returned to training after a hamstring problem and could be involved on Sunday, but keeper John Ruddy (groin), full-back Martin Olsson (hamstring) and midfielder Alex Pritchard (muscle injury) are all expected to miss out.

Midfielder Graham Dorrans is also a big doubt having suffered a setback as he recovers from a groin injury, while winger Matt Jarvis, who played for McCarthy at Wolves, underwent surgery on a knee injury in the summer.

Photo: TWTD

Burnzee1991 added 14:28 - Aug 19 Massive blow about Grant :-( He's looked the most likely to cause a threat to the budgies. Great news that Pitman is back though :D We can win on Sunday Norwich have more injury troubles than us. COYB!!!
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ipswichdave added 14:35 - Aug 19 Skuse didn't train today, but don't know why, could be a worry
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Moisha added 14:47 - Aug 19 I like Connor but I'd be more concerned if Grant Ward was out.... Same team as Wolves away for me.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:12 - Aug 19 I think we're going to need "Pits" on Sunday. I guess Sears will drop to the bench. We've no-one else to do the "Skuse" job really, so I hope (ipswichdave) that he'll be available. Time for Grant Ward to make Another statement.
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blue86 added 15:14 - Aug 19 Glad pitman is back, could be a decent option to bring off the bench at some point Sunday. I have to admit that I'm not looking forward to the Derby at all! Just hope we can pull something out of the bag, a draw would do me! But I will be there singing my heart out for the town!! Coyb
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Alfie added 15:33 - Aug 19 With Pitman or without him, Sunday will be difficult. I fear what could be but will be praying and watching behind the sofa.......................................... COYB !
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carsey added 15:37 - Aug 19 I just hope Norwich haven't realized how crap we are at corners and free kicks into the box. I can't see anything other than a draw at best and only then if we mark tight and don't make a mistake. Also hoping the strikers decide this is the match to start scoring this season because none of them have really looked sharp so far.
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TCisdynamite added 15:43 - Aug 19 GREATS NEWS. GET THE WINNER. BECOME A HERO
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jas0999 added 15:45 - Aug 19 Great news. We need Pitman. We scored four goals in one half against Barnsley which is fantastic. But have failed to find the net in the other seven halves of football played this season. That's not so great. No surprise other teams aren't interested in Stewart, the Polish fella and Giles Coke. Very average players at best. We desperately need new additions. Good to hear we are looking. Hopefully will be a busy end to a somewhat quiet transfer window.

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Seasider added 15:57 - Aug 19 As an Ipswich supporter, after 40 odd years of being the best team in Anglia,the last 7 especially have been humiliating . 13.4.08 saw I think the last of the Danny Haynes goals in a 2-1 win,and 19.4.09 a Gio Dos Santos penalty when we won 3.2;both at PR. The nadir for me,and most supporters was the 5-1 drubbing Town received at the hands of Norwich under Paul Jewell on 21st November 2011,I just hope there wont be a similar scoreline on Sunday. The biggest away defeat under McCarthy apart from his first two months in charge;was the 5-1 drubbing by Reading last season.However at home I cant remember any large defeats since he has been in charge,despite some dire performances. I do hope Town win naturally;but I doubt that it can be done by playing expansive football on this occasion;so I expect Mick to start with a similar team to the one that drew 0-0 at Wolves. It has been mentioned above by our Manager that there has been no interest in our transfer listed players,and in view of this I think MM could put Stewart on the bench starting with this game.Who knows he could come on with a point to prove,as he came back fit,and showed well I thought when appearing in the friendlies;but it seems the stubborn Yorkshireman has taken against him,despite never even giving him the opportunity in one league game,as has happened with several players during his reign.

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Bluetone added 16:18 - Aug 19 Quote Seasider "It has been mentioned above by our Manager that there has been no interest in our transfer listed players,and in view of this I think MM could put Stewart on the bench starting with this game.Who knows he could come on with a point to prove,as he came back fit,and showed well I thought when appearing in the friendlies;but it seems the stubborn Yorkshireman has taken against him,despite never even giving him the opportunity in one league game,as has happened with several players during his reign." And this is why for me he will only ever be an average manager at best.

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carlo88 added 16:37 - Aug 19 Call me pedantic but I do believe 'derby' should have a small 'd' in the headline.
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TractorBoy666 added 16:38 - Aug 19 I'm hoping for a big win Sunday! I was too young to really remember us beating the scum in 2009 so it would be nice to see a confidence boosting performance this time round. I'd personally drop Sears for this match as he's not been at the races but could well be a decent option from the bench with his pace, COYB!
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Lightningboy added 16:48 - Aug 19 I think all these niggling little injuries just go to show that players are too "overly-fit" these days - the slightest twinge and they spend weeks/months in the treatment room. And before anyone says it's a different game these days - well yes it is - but there's no doubt that players are also a lot softer than they were in the pre-premier league days.
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planetblue_2011 added 17:25 - Aug 19 Play Pitman from the start maybe drop Sears. I really like Freddy but not on the wing & his confidence has gone playing as a striker because he's always on the wing, so Pitman for me, upfront!! If Mick plays 4.3.3 then it will be Sears playing!! Waste of time me writing this really hahah!! COYB
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Mark added 17:42 - Aug 19 As Pitman is coming back from injury I wouldn't start him in the derby, but useful from the bench. It's a pivotal match, as win and all is rosy as we push for a play-off place in the early league table, but lose and we are in a very dark place near the relegation zone while seeing our rivals looking like promotion favourites. A very tough match, but I reckon it could end up as a draw like last time they came here. COYB!

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michaeldownunder added 22:01 - Aug 19 Norwich play 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 Mick will not play with two out and out strikers or we would be overrun in the middle of the park. Same team that started v Wolves
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cobboldblue added 23:53 - Aug 19 Hark now hear the Ipswich sing.......
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