Defensive options are once again Jim Magilton's main concern ahead of Tuesday's trip to Stoke City (KO 7.45pm). Richard Naylor has a badly bruised toe and appears a big doubt for the visit to the Britannia Stadium.
The Blues are already without skipper Jason De Vos, who has a cracked metatarsal, and Alex Bruce. The former Birmingham man will miss the second and final game of his suspension after reaching 10 bookings for the season.
Better news is that David Wright is back after a one-match ban and could partner Fabian Wilnis at centre-half if Naylor doesn't make it. In Naylor's absence, Wilnis, who will be making his 300th appearance for the Blues, will captain the side.
Further defensive intrigue centres around right-back Sito, whose girlfriend Tania was due to give birth to their first daughter more than a week ago. The Spaniard, who has confirmed he wants to stay with Town until his contract is up in 2008, may be forced to return to Suffolk if the baby finally puts in an appearance. Chris Casement is Magilton's alternative right-back option, while Lewis Price will continue in goal with Dan Harding at left-back.
In midfield, Owen Garvan impressed when coming off the bench against Swansea and could come into the side for Gavin Williams. Sylvain Legwinski will partner one of those two in the centre of the midfield, with Jaime Peters continuing his excellent run in the side on the right. Gary Roberts is likely to keep his place on the left, despite a number of quieter games recently.
Striker Alan Lee, only one booking away from a two-match ban, was feeling his hamstring in the final minutes of the Swansea game and could be left on the bench. New signing Jon Walters looks certain to make his Town debut, either alongside Lee or Billy Clarke. Danny Haynes is likely to get his usual run-out from the bench at around the hour mark.
Stoke are expected to be without Andy Griffin (ankle) and Dominic Matteo (groin), while Clint Hill and Marlon Broomes (both knee) are long-term absentees. Kevin Harper has returned from a loan spell at Carlisle but has an ankle injury.
Manager Tony Pulis has confirmed Reading interest in central defender Michael Duberry but the former Leeds man is expected to feature against the Blues. Winger Peter Sweeney is close to signing a loan deal which will see him spend the rest of the season at Yeovil.
The Potters have so far failed to complete a new loan deal for Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie, while Carl Hoefkens has turned down a switch to Belgian side Club Brugge. Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao has signed a loan deal until May, as has Manchester United winger Lee Martin.
Tuesday's referee is Colin Webster from Tyne and Wear, who has shown 60 yellow and five red cards in 20 games so far this season. Webster's last Town match was the 2-1 defeat at FA Cup opponents Watford in the Championship in April, when he yellow-carded Alan Lee.
Provisional squad: Casement, Clarke, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, Naylor, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Sito, Supple, Walters, Williams, Wilnis, Wright.