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Clarke to Return? - Ipswich Town News

Boss Jim Magilton is expected to shuffle his pack ahead of today's trip to the Ricoh Arena. Striker Billy Clarke could come into the side with the Blues looking short of an attacking threat against Stoke on Saturday.

The Irishman is over his ankle problem and could replace either Alan Lee, who has scored just once since hitting a hat-trick against Luton in September, or Jon Macken, scorer of only two goals during his loan spell from Crystal Palace.

Magilton could also make changes in midfield with Gary Roberts suffering from a groin problem and Owen Garvan and Gavin Williams only just back from illness and injury.

If Roberts is unable to play today, Matt Richards could come into the reckoning on the left of midfield with Williams likely to be on the right. Garvan should get the nod to play at the Ricoh, but could be rested for one of the two games at the weekend.

Lewis Price is expected to continue in goal behind the back four of Dan Harding, Jason De Vos, Richard Naylor and Alex Bruce.

Winger Darren Currie, currently on loan with Coventry, is reported to be unavailable for today's game under the terms of the agreement between the clubs. The former Brighton man is likely to complete a permanent move to the Midlands in January.

The Sky Blues' other man with Town connections, keeper Andy Marshall, may be forced to play despite a knee problem with fellow glovesman Luke Steele also suffering an injury.

Manager Micky Adams can call on loanee Adam Virgo after the Celtic man recovered from injury, while Marcus Hall is also in contention.

Robert Page could also return after serving a ban at the weekend, while midfielder Isaac Osbourne is over a groin injury but is short of match fitness.

Today's referee is Clive Oliver from Northumberland, who has shown 38 yellow and one red card in 17 games this season. Oliver's last Town game was the 2-0 defeat at Hull during last year's Christmas period.

Squad: Bruce, Casement, Clarke, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, Macken, Naylor, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Supple, Walton, Williams.

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