Town boss Joe Royle has a selection dilemma ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Millwall (KO 1pm). Midfielder Kevin Horlock is back after a one-match ban, while new signing Darren Currie impressed in his absence.

Royle looks certain to recall Horlock, the former Manchester City, Swindon and West Ham man having had an excellent season playing the midfield holding role.

The Town manager looks more likely to leave out one of Tommy Miller or Ian Westlake to accommodate Currie, one of Town's most impressive players in the 2-1 victory over Wigan on Tuesday.

Royle was particularly pleased with the £250,000 signing from Brighton in the Latics game: "Darren Currie was outstanding for us against Wigan. He gives us something different and doesn't have to beat a player to get a cross in, as he showed in the first half with that chance for Shefki Kuqi's header.

"With Kevin Horlock back for Millwall, it gives me a nice selection problem for the trip to the Den."

The Town boss says that while it's nice to head the table at this stage of the season, there won't be any complacency: "It's great to be top at Christmas and I'll enjoy my dinner this year, but there is a long way to go yet and we are not getting carried away."

Royle has named a 17-man squad with new loan player Daniel Karbassiyoon included. The Arsenal youngster is likely to remain on the bench with birthday boy Matt Richards keeping his left-back place at the Den.

Town are without Drissa Diallo for the entire Christmas period due to a hamstring injury. Second choice keeper Lewis Price has extended his loan at Cambridge United for a second month.

Millwall welcome back Kevin Muscat after a three-match suspension, which is likely to see one of Marvin Elliott or Peter Sweeney drop to the bench.

Player-manager Dennis Wise says he wants his side to continue a decent run of results: "We've just taken seven points from our last three games, including two difficult away trips to Wolves and Leeds, and now we face two equally tough tests against Ipswich and Derby, who are both right up there at the business end of the table.

"The players have shown a bit of character to turn things round after that very disappointing run of three consecutive defeats, and I'm hoping that with a big crowd we can get the lift we need to earn three points against a very good Ipswich side."

Millwall striker Neil Harris, often a scorer against the Blues, left the club to join Nottingham Forest for a nominal fee earlier in the week.

Former Town keeper Andy Marshall will be between the sticks having usurped Arsenal loanee Graham Stack in recent weeks.
Sunday's referee is Paul Armstrong from Thatcham who has shown a worrying 47 yellow and seven red cards in 19 games this season. He last took control of the Blues in the 1-0 victory over Stoke in October 2003.

Squad: Bent, Bowditch, Collins, Couñago, Currie, Davis, De Vos, Horlock, Karbassiyoon, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Richards, Supple, Westlake, Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls