Striker James Scowcroft's Portman Road loan is set to end prior to the Championship play-off final at the end of May. The Leicester frontman rejoined the Blues in February and will reach the 93-day loan limit before the Monday, May 30th date at the Millennium Stadium.

Town currently sit in third position, two points behind Wigan, and are still hopeful of avoiding a seventh appearance in the play-offs.

Under Football League rules players over 24 are only entitled to a maximum of 93 days on loan with a club. Scowcroft would pass this between the dates of the play-off semi-finals and final.

The Blues will already be without defender David Unsworth should they find themselves in the play-offs, the Portsmouth player's loan ends a day after the Blues' final league game of the season away at Brighton on May 8th.

If Town are involved in the play-off final, the Blues could keep Scowcroft if they were to make his move to Portman Road a permanent one rather than a loan deal. The former England U21 striker is currently registered as a Town player and so the switch would not be prevented by transfer deadline rules.

Scowcroft is out of contract with Leicester in June and the Blues could offer to take on the rest of his contract should they require him for a Cardiff final.

The 29-year-old has failed make much of an impact since moving back to Portman Road as a temporary replacement for the then injured Shefki Kuqi. Scowcroft himself has been hampered by a groin problem and the Blues may feel they can do without his services if they are involved in their second ever play-off final.

Town's strikeforce will be boosted by the return of Dean Bowditch to the fold for any prospective play-off campaign. The England U19 international has made seven starts and one sub appearance while on loan at Turf Moor, scoring one goal. Bowditch's spell in Lancashire was recently extended until the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls