Town have named Kevin Horlock, Nicky Forster and Ian Westlake in an 18-man squad for Saturday's home game with Plymouth Argyle. Owen Garvan is the only player still on the sidelines but the Irish youngster will be back in contention for the Coventry game in two weeks.

Royle says Westlake, out since September due to an ankle injury, will be a substitute: "Westy's fit, as fit as he can be. He's done a lot of work with Simon Thadani, the fitness coach, and he's fit, it's just a matter of match practice. He won't start but he will certainly be on the bench.

"We'll see how Nicky Forster is today. He's better and trained on Thursday, and we're going to make sure there is no reaction today. He's in with a big chance.

Richard Naylor, who signed a new three-year deal earlier this week, missed Friday training but only as a precaution and has declared himself fit.

Jaime Peters drops out of the squad but, Royle says, only due to more experienced players returning to fitness: "His time will come, he's still settling into the country and into professional football."

Royle has confirmed that Sam Parkin will start after missing out in recent home games, having scored his fifth goal of the season at Brighton last week.

The Town manager is hoping for an improved Portman Road display: "We haven't been outstanding at home this year, we know that. Since the first game against Cardiff we haven't really had our full squad for a home game.

"We're getting nearer with only Garvan definitely unfit at this stage. It would be nice to turn in a good performance and get three points."

Royle hopes to push on after the 3-3 draw at Derby in the week when he felt his side looked more of a goalscoring threat.

Jay McEveley could receive a recall to the starting line-up after Fabian Wilnis had a difficult game at Derby. The England U21 international replaced the Dutchman in the second half at Pride Park.

The return of Horlock and Westlake increases the competition in midfield but Jimmy Juan and Matt Richards look likely to continue after impressing at Derby. Skipper Jim Magilton played 60 minutes at Brighton and the full game against the Rams and could be left out against the Pilgrims.

Darren Currie was rested at Derby but could be recalled to face one of his former sides if the Blues switch back to 4-4-2, with Dean McDonald dropping to the bench. Royle will have to decide to start with Nicky Forster or continue to use Dean Bowditch, who has shown better form in recent games, alongside Parkin.

Plymouth boss Tony Pulis, who as Gillingham manager was beaten by Joe Royle's Manchester City in their famous Division Two play-off final, expects a difficult match: "I think it will be a tough game and it will be interesting to see which players they have got back fit because Forster hasn't played with Parkin for a couple of games. That is a decent combination up front."

Pulis cites Darren Currie as one of Town's biggest threats: "The lad Currie was on the bench on Wednesday night but I'm sure he will start against us.

"They have some good players, but the big thing we are trying to put into the team is that it's what we do every week that counts, not what other sides do.

"He's dangerous off set plays and has got good ability, so he's one of a few players we are going to have to be wary of. But every team we play against in this league are going to have players with outstanding ability."

Plymouth's match with Leicester was abandoned on Tuesday with the Pilgrims a goal up through Nick Chadwick. The former Everton striker is set to keep his place with Scott Taylor remaining on the bench.

Midfielder Lee Hodges, not the player of the same name who was on loan with the Blues in the late 1990s, is a long-term absentee.

Saturday's referee is Martin Atkinson from West Yorkshire who has shown 24 yellow cards and one red in 12 games this season. Atkinson last took control of the Blues in January's 1-1 draw at Reading.

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

Photo: Action Images

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