Town skipper Matt Holland is a worry for tomorrow's clash with Derby County. Holland suffered an ankle injury in the Worthington Cup match with Coventry, but will make his usual huge effort to be fit, although there are no reports so far of any trips to the healing fountains of Brightlingsea. If he makes it the Derby game will see Matt make his 187th consecutive appearance for Town.

One man's whose consecutive appearance record has gone is Richard Wright. The Town keeper has a cast on his broken wrist and misses out against Derby. Keith Branagan makes his League debut for Town after impressing in the Worthington Cup.

John McGreal, Jim Magilton and Mark Venus all missed Tuesday's game and training this week, but all are likely to be OK for tomorrow. However, John Scales and Titus Bramble will hope to keep their places in defence. Wayne Brown is still on the sidelines and is waiting to see whether he will need an operation on his hip/groin problem.

Jim Magilton has also called for George Burley to give up his search for other players. Jim points to Tuesday's performance without many regulars as evidence that the existing squad is strong enough already.

Up front Richard Naylor is out for four weeks with his broken leg, while David Johnson is expected to drop back to the bench.

Town are reporting that they have some tickets still available because Derby failed to sell their full allocation. These tickets are in the family enclosure on the Cobbold Terrace. Tickets purchased must consist of a of two adults max per child's ticket with the minimum ticket purchase being one adult per one junior.

The Worthington Cup game with Manchester City has been confirmed as Tuesday December 12th. Town wanted the 13th apparently, but the 12th it is.

More work on the shear walls (see the South Stand section of the website to find out what one of these actually is) this week apparently. The next few days will see nothing so spectacular as last week's hoist, but important work continues. A base for a crane is being put in while steel is delivered and then erected.

Photo: Action Images

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