Striker Marcus Bent could make a surprise return to Town for the second leg of the play-off semi-final with West Ham and also the final, should the Blues make it to the Millennium Stadium.

Bent has been on a season-long loan at Leicester City and up to now it has been understood by both the club and supporters that he would be unable to play for Town again this season.

However, boss Joe Royle says he was informed by Foxes' director of football Dave Bassett that Bent could come back to Town next week: "Dave just mentioned that Marcus would be available to us after Saturday and if that's the case we will look at it then."

Bent's loan with Micky Adams's relegated side is due to officially end on May 31st but, with Leicester's season over on Saturday, the Football League are happy for him to return to Portman Road: "If all parties agree, we would have no
objection to him rejoining Ipswich after the weekend."

The 25-year-old striker was off-loaded by Town in August due to the need to remove his £17,000-a-week salary from the wagebill.

Bent's exit allowed the Blues to bring in three loanees in September, two of whom - Chris Bart-Williams and Shefki Kuqi - became permanent signings.

Winger Alan Mahon stayed for nearly three months, with Matt Elliott subsequently joining on a short-term basis, ironically from Leicester.

If Royle wants Bent for the second West Ham game and potentially the final, the Blues would be likely to face paying two weeks of Bent's wages, something that is likely to prove less demanding on the financial situation than it might have been earlier in the season.

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