New signing George O'Callaghan goes straight into the Town squad for Saturday's home game with Colchester United. The Blues are without Jason De Vos and Owen Garvan, while Sylvain Legwinski is likely to be fine after picking up a knock in the FA Cup replay with Chester City.
De Vos is out for around six weeks after cracking a metatarsal in training early this week. Garvan also has a foot problem but is not expected to be out of action for more than one more game having missed the Chester tie on Tuesday.
Legwinski suffered a dead leg against the League Two side but is expected to be fit enough for Colchester's visit.
Lewis Price will continue in goal with David Wright likely to return at right-back after missing the Chester game as he was ineligible. Dan Harding will be on the left with Alex Bruce and Richard Naylor in the centre of the defence.
Naylor will be looking to avoid his fifth yellow card of the season and a ban for next week's cup game with Swansea. That would leave the Blues without De Vos, Bruce, Naylor and the cup-tied Ian Miller for the visit of the Swans and a likely central defensive pairing of Fabian Wilnis and Chris Casement or perhaps David Wright.
Miller, recalled from a loan spell at Boston as cover for De Vos earlier in the week, is likely to be on the Town bench for the first time.
Jaime Peters will hope to keep his place in midfield after a bright performance on Tuesday, while Legwinski and Gavin Williams will continue in the centre. Gary Roberts had a quiet game against hometown club Chester but should keep his place.
New man O'Callaghan, without a first team game since his final match for Cork City in June last year, is likely to make his Town debut from the bench at some stage.
Magilton says he has no concerns at the Irishman's physical condition: "George will be in the squad tomorrow. I have no problems with his fitness. He has worked very hard with our fitness coach and since day one here he has applied himself and his attitude has been first class.
"He is a scoring midfielder who can play right across the middle four. He is a natural footballer and I am delighted to have him here.
"I'm a firm believer in second chances. He started at Port Vale but it was his desire to succeed, the hunger he showed, that first attracted me to him. We'll see how it goes.
"He is a player who has certainly not looked out of place here. He has fitted in very well and conducted himself in a wonderful manner.
"George has worked tremendously hard. We are delighted to have him and to give him this opportunity, which I am sure he will grab with both hands.”
Up front, Alan Lee is likely to be partnered by Billy Clarke after a disappointing performance from Danny Haynes on Tuesday. Haynes is likely to play some role from the bench.
Colchester boss and former Town midfielder Geraint Williams has a doubt over striker Jamie Cureton due to a hamstring injury with loanee from West Ham Hogan Ephraim likely to join Ipswich resident Chris Iwelumo up front if the former Canary fails to make it.
While Layer Road may no longer be the retirement home for ageing Town players it once was, there are a number of ex-Blues at the North Essex club in addition to manager Williams. Skipper Wayne Brown made 50 appearances for Town, scoring once, while coach Brian Owen was on Sir Bobby Robson's Portman Road staff. Former Town midfielder David Gregory is the club's communications and PR officer.
The sides haven't met in the league at Portman Road since October 1956 when Ted Phillips, who now lives in Colchester, netted a hat-trick in a 3-1 win as Town won the Division Three South title. In September 1969 the Blues beat the U's 4-0 at home in the League Cup, Frank Brogan scoring twice and Mick Mills and Tommy Carroll adding one apiece.
The police have called for fans to behave "respectfully and responsibly" ahead of a game seen by Colchester supporters as a derby, a view not widely shared by Town followers. Fans should note that buses will replace trains between Colchester and Ipswich throughout the day due to engineering work.
Saturday's referee is Graham Laws from Tyne and Wear, who has shown 69 yellow and four red cards in 21 games so far this season. His last Town game was the 1-0 defeat at Wigan in March 2005.
Likely squad: Price, Supple, Wright, Wilnis, Harding, Naylor, Bruce, Miller, Legwinski, Williams, Roberts, Richards, Peters, O'Callaghan, Currie, Lee, Haynes, Clarke.