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Rhodes in Squad Again - Ipswich Town News

Town have named a 20-man squad ahead of Saturday's home game with Barnsley. Academy striker Jordan Rhodes, who netted twice for the reserves against Orient on Tuesday, is again included, while loanee Franny Jeffers is back after his hamstring injury.

Boss Jim Magilton says that despite Jeffers being available again, he'll stick with Alan Lee and Jon Walters for the visit of the Tykes: "We also have a game at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, and Franny will hopefully be fit enough to feature in both.

"But Alan and Jonathan caused problems against Plymouth last weekend and will start again on Saturday. They have been working hard together in training.

"Franny's return keeps them on their toes and we are all well aware of his quality. He has the bit between his teeth.”

Town have slight concerns over Jason De Vos (foot), Gavin Williams (pelvis) and Owen Garvan (ankle), but all three are likely to be OK to take on The Blues' 2000 play-off final opponents.

Fabian Wilnis is likely to be the only survivor of that Wembley day almost seven years ago, aside from Town boss Jim Magilton, with Richard Naylor out for the season with bone bruising to his toe.

The Dutchman is likely to line-up on the right of an unchanged defence with Lewis Price in goal, David Wright at left-back, and De Vos and Alex Bruce in the centre. Dan Harding misses the final game of his two-match ban. Central defender Ian Miller made his Town debut as a sub against Plymouth last week and is likely to play some part again.

In midfield, Williams and Garvan are likely to continue their partnership in the centre and there could be a recall for Jaime Peters on the right. The Canadian has been rested in recent weeks, but has impressed during the second half of the season, particularly in home games. Gary Roberts is likely to keep his place, so Matt Richards could make way. Sylvain Legwinski is out for the season with a broken metatarsal.

Barnsley will be without goalkeeper David Lucas, who suffered a concussion during last week's game with Derby, his debut for the club, and is prevented from playing for 10 days. Nick Colgan, impressive against the Blues in the Tykes' 1-0 win at Oakwell earlier in the season, will deputise.

Skipper Paul Reid will play against the Blues despite losing teeth in a clash with former Town loanee Jon Macken during the game against the Rams. Striker Martin Devaney is suspended.

Manager Simon Davey is confident his team can escape relegation: "We have six games remaining and I'm more than confident we will be in the same position – out of the bottom three – come May 6th.”

Saturday's referee is Anthony Bates from Staffordshire, who has shown 92 yellow and three red cards in 34 games so far this season. His last Town game was the 2-0 home victory over Millwall in September 2004 when he kept both his cards in his pocket throughout.

Squad: Bruce, Clarke, De Vos, Garvan, Haynes, Jeffers, Lee, Miller, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Rhodes, Richards, Roberts, Sito, Supple, Walters, Williams, Wilnis, Wright.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

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