Town manager Joe Royle has hinted that he may start 17-year-old Dean Bowditch when the Blues face Coventry City at Portman Road on Saturday. Bowditch scored his first senior goal in the 1-0 extra-time win against Kidderminster recently.

Royle has no worries that Bowditch is good enough but has been waiting for the right moment to give him his opportunity: "Dean might well get his chance from the start.

"I'm still considering one or two things but we know he is a good player, it has just been a case of getting the timing right to start him."

Another of Royle's strikers, Alun Armstrong, seems resigned to his Town career being over, despite scoring twice in the reserves on Wednesday, and is not included in Royle's 16 for Saturday: "The manager was watching but I'm not expecting anything.

"You should never say never in football but it is clear my future lies away from here but in the meantime I'm just going to keep trying my best and to get back playing."

Rotherham scouts are reported to have watched him in the reserves but his wages are likely to put them off an approach. A potential close season move to Saturday's opponents Coventry fell down at an early stage due to Armstrong's current wages being far higher than they could offer.

George Burley and Derby were interested in a loan move but Armstrong picked up a hip injury. Since then they have taken Lee Bradbury to Pride Park on a short spell. Armstrong was made available on a free transfer at the end of last season.

Town have a largely clean bill of health ahead of Saturday's game, although Jermaine Wright misses out due to his stomach upset. Georges Santos is back in training after a hamstring problem.

John McGreal continues to get games under his belt after his knee injury while Aidan Collins will be back in full training today after having his tonsils out.

For Coventry new signing Yazid Mansouri is in the squad after arriving on loan from Le Havre.

Summer signing Andy Morrell returns to the attack after a calf injury while Richard Shaw's foot injury is OK and he is back in training.

Veteran defender Dean Gordon also has a foot knock while Dele Adebola is likely to make the trip to Suffolk travel despite an ankle injury.

Town squad: D Bent, M Bent, Bowditch, Couñago, Davis, Diallo, Magilton, Makin, Miller, Naylor, Price, Reuser, Richards, Santos, Westlake and Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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