Matt Richards has been withdrawn from Joe Royle's squad for Saturday's home league clash with Coventry City. The young full-back has a slight groin strain which he picked up in Wednesday's reserve game against Southampton.

Royle says Ian Westlake is in the squad as cover for Richards, with Jermaine Wright added to the 16 after his stomach complaint. The Blues' manager says he will announce his team tomorrow but we understand that Dean Bowditch will again be on the bench with both Bents in the starting line-up.

The Town boss expects Gary McAllister's side to play football and to push for a win: “They'll come and try to beat us with their manager involved, who's still a top player, certainly in this division anyway.

“They're a bit the same as ourselves, they've had a bit of a change-around and they are trying to get fresh players in with no money. We're two sides who are both feeling the fallout from relegation, and both sides want to get back there.

Up to now Town's season has not lived up to expectations and Royle says that while a win against Coventry would be most welcome, he isn't overly worried by his side's start: “I know to some people two games represents a crisis, but I'm still as confident as I was two games ago.”

Royle has used both 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 during the season so far and is giving nothing away regarding his plans for Saturday: “We'll have 11 players on the pitch, a goalkeeper and ten outfielders.

“It's not really about formations. You only change the formation to get the players you want on to the pitch or into the game.”

The Blues' only long-term injury is John McGreal, but he came through the Southampton reserve game OK, although Royle still considers him “creaky”. He will be involved in next week's second string friendly with Cambridge United and Royle will welcome his return: “John getting fit would be a big boost for the squad.”

Alun Armstrong scored twice against Southampton and Royle says that will have impressed any watching scouts: “He did really well, he's got that under his belt. Alun needs a fresh start, it's not quite worked for him with injuries here.

“There's been no serious interest in him, although lots of people want to loan him, but quite honestly it would be best for him if we got something permanent sorted out.”

Royle himself has been suffering with a problem hip for the last week but says he is OK but “limping well”.

Young midfielder Adem Atay is set to sign a two-year professional deal with the club today and Royle says he is a player who could come into first team contention this season: “You never know. He's young, he's doing very well and we've been pleased with him.

“He's a very, very quick player, probably as quick as anyone in the club over 10 metres, and that's a great asset. He runs with the ball at people and it's hard to find an asset like that. We've got few players at the club like that, few have, and his pace is exciting. If they're quick and they can control the ball then we're interested.”

Atay has been playing right midfield for the reserves but Royle says that ultimately he expects him to move to a more central midfield role.

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.

Gary McAllister is looking for a continuation of the good form they have shown in their one win and one draw so far this season: "We go to Ipswich looking for more of the same from Saturday but with a better cutting edge in front of goal to win the game.

"On the back of the good possession and play, we just need a finish to get us three points. We have had a good week in training and we have been working on that a lot.

“We have got people challenging for places in almost every position and I have got a squad of 18-20 players all capable of playing in this division, compared to last year when we had maybe 11 and a number who could come in as cover if needed.”

McAllister cites Darren and Marcus Bent, and Pablo Couñago as his biggest concerns: “It's going to be a physical match. I like the two Bents, they're dangerous, and Pablo Couñago showed his threat last season when he came here.”

The Sky Blues' boss has also been advised at the perfect state of Town's pitch: “Richard Keys rang me from Ipswich on Wednesday night and said the pitch was absolutely superb.

“It was that good that he had to make the call and I heard Alan Shearer make the comment as well, so it is supposed to be like a bowling green and that will suit us.

“I saw that Joe Royle was complaining that the pitch might be too good because the opposition come along and think, ‘Oh, this is nice!'”

Saturday's referee is Frazer Stretton from Nottinghamshire who previously officiated in Town's 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday towards the end of last season. He also reffed the 2-1 home defeat to Bradford last August.

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

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls