Boss Joe Royle says he will make changes when the Blues take on Coventry at Portman Road on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm). Kevin Horlock is the only new injury concern after Sunday's defeat at Reading.

The Blues boss has named an 17-man squad with midfielder or striker Dean McDonald replacing captain Jim Magilton.

Royle says that he intended to alter his side even before Sunday's poor showing in front of the Sky cameras: "There will certainly be changes and as much as anything on a fitness count because for one or two players two games in three days is hard for them."

The Town manager took a handful of plusses from the generally poor display at Reading: "We had five decent chances in the game, as badly as we played. Proudlock came on and gave us a glimpse of what he is capable of, and I thought again that Sito, Richard Naylor and Fabian all did well defensively in a very poor performance around them."

Royle expects a reaction to the defeat at Reading against the Sky Blues: "When we have lost a game like that, as we did at Burnley, we've tended to bounce back a little bit, and should we win tomorrow night it will still be a very decent week.

"But it's going to be hard. They've had a bit of a taste of it on Saturday from Crystal Palace and will be fired up."

The Blues were keen to have the game switched to the Wednesday after the Reading match moved to the Sunday for Sky, but Royle says Coventry refused: "We did ask to move the game but it wasn't possible. They didn't want to and I can understand that."

Skipper Jim Magilton will be rested after playing the full 90 minutes against Reading with French loanee Jimmy Juan a possible replacement. Owen Garvan could return in place of Kevin Horlock, who is an injury worry with a knee problem, or Darren Currie, with the Blues likely to return to their more regular 4-4-2.

Loanee Adam Proudlock may be a surprise starter on the right of midfield but is more likely to be used as a substitute up front with his fitness still in question. Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster will make only their second home appearance as a strike partnership since their summer moves to Portman Road.

Either Fabian Wilnis or Jason De Vos will drop to the bench as Town revert to two centre-halves, with Sito and Jay McEveley set to continue as the wide defenders.

Ian Westlake remains Town's only long-term injury absentee with the ankle problem he picked up in training last month. The midfielder is back in training and is likely to be back in action ahead of his December schedule.

Coventry are currently 20th in the Championship and lost 4-1 to Palace at the weekend, having been defeated 3-2 by fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday in their previous game.

Boss Micky Adams, who watched the Blues in action against Reading, is likely to name former Blue James Scowcroft in his side and like Royle is expected to make a number of changes. One casualty could be skipper Stephen Hughes who was replaced at half-time on Saturday.

The Sky Blues will be without midfielder Claus Jorgensen who was red-carded at Selhurst Park.

Tuesday's referee is Trevor Kettle from Berkshire who has shown a fearsome 53 yellow and two red cards in his 11 games so far this season. He last officiated the Blues in the 1-0 home victory over Brighton in November 2004.

Squad: Price, Supple, Sito, McEveley, Richards, Naylor, De Vos, Wilnis, Horlock, Currie, Garvan, Juan, Parkin, Forster, Bowditch, Proudlock, McDonald.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls