Mark Venus is again a doubt for Town ahead of Saturday's Manchester United game (KO 5.35pm). The centre half is again out of training, this time with a groin injury.

George Burley has a few options if Venus misses out with one a return for Wayne Brown. The 24-year-old defender has played just once for Town this season, at Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup, but was impressive in Wednesday's reserve game against Southampton.

However, Burley's is perhaps more likely to switch Hermann Hreidarsson into the centre of defence with Jamie Clapham moving to left-back.

Titus Bramble could be moved from right-back to his more usual central position with Fabian Wilnis going to right-back. Wilnis came on during the Boro game in that position while Chris Makin is still not back after his ankle injury.

Bramble is playing through pain at present due to his achilles problem. He says he is very much looking forward to his summer operation, getting in a good pre-season with Town and then looking at a return to the England U21s.

Mike Salmon remains as Andy Marshall's keeping deputy with Matteo Sereni not ready after his thigh strain.

In midfield Tommy Miller's ankle is still described as "quite sore" while Sixto Peralta is a doubt with the groin strain he picked up during the Middlesbrough match.

Town report that Peralta is nearest to fitness of their worries while Tommy Miller is still undergoing treatment.

George Burley will hope that at least one of those two will be fit, if not a return for Jim Magilton looks on the cards while Darren Ambrose is also in the squad.

Up front George Burley has a wide choice after Darren Bent's goal and performance on Wednesday. Marcus Stewart and Marcus Bent are probably favourites to get the call but Bent junior and Alun Armstrong will be on the bench itching to get on the field.

For United David Beckham and Gary Neville are out with foot injuries (in case you managed to miss that) while Roy Keane is set to make a start after his injury, but is not 100% match fit.

Ronny Johnsen and Quinton Fortune will have fitness tests on their hamstring injuries before Saturday's game.

The referee is Rob Styles who previously officated in Town's games at Chelsea, at home to Newcastle and away at Dagenham.

Town are expecting a record all-seater crowd of around 29,000 tomorrow. It will be the highest crowd at Portman Road since the December 1982 derby against Norwich when 29,596 were present.

As for Town's rivals at the bottom of the table, Sunderland are likely to have Kevin Phillips returning. The striker went off on a stretcher at West Ham last week, but his injury isn't as bad as it was thought to be .

Jason McAteer is hoping to be fit after a groin problem while Claudio Reyna is suspended.

Town squad: Marshall, Salmon, McGreal, Clapham, Wilnis, Bramble, Hreidarsson, Venus, Holland, Magilton, T Miller, Peralta, Brown, George, Reuser, Stewart, M Bent, Armstrong, Naylor, D Bent and Ambrose.

Photo: Action Images

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