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Magilton Yet to Decide on Quinn - Ipswich Town News

Boss Jim Magilton is yet to decide whether to include midfielder Alan Quinn in the side which takes on his old club Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday. Quinn limped off at Stoke last Saturday with an ankle problem, but a subsequent scan showed no serious problem.

Magilton, who played for the Saints between 1994 and 1997, said: "Alan's ankle has improved and we will see how he is, but we will take Tuesday's home match with Sheffield United in mind and this will have an effect on whether Alan considered for tomorrow's match.

"We have wrapped Richard Naylor up in cotton wool this week because he has felt a few twinges in his neck, but he should be OK and David Norris's heel will not stop him playing, although it has given him some discomfort.”

Jon Walters has also been suffering with a knee problem in recent months, but like Norris has continued to play.

Magilton, who expects to name the same 18-man squad as travelled to Stoke last week, may choose to err on the side of caution when it comes to Quinn, leaving him out of the starting line-up for the trip to Hampshire.

The Town manager has innumerable midfield options if he does choose to rest the former Sheffield United man, with Danny Haynes having replaced him on the left of midfield for the Crystal Palace and Blackpool games.

Prior to his three-match ban for his red card against Portsmouth, Liam Trotter had been playing at left midfield and may be considered, while Owen Garvan could also be in line for a recall.

Otherwise, the midfield is unlikely to be changed with David Norris on the right and Velice Sumulikoski and Tommy Miller continuing their partnership in the centre.

Stephen Bywater will be in goal, but elsewhere in the defence Magilton has one or two decisions to make. Alex Bruce has played at right-back for the last three games, but the Town boss could bring back David Wright, who offers more than the former Birmingham man going forward.

Wright could possibly be used on the left if Magilton chooses to drop Dan Harding after his error led to Stoke's winning goal a week ago. Spaniard Sito will also be looking for a return, but seems less likely to be involved against the Saints.

Bruce would replace Naylor if Town's longest-serving player isn't considered fit enough to play, while skipper Jason De Vos will be in his usual central defensive role.

Up front, Magilton is likely to stick with Jon Walters and Alan Lee with Pablo Couñago coming off the bench in the second half.

Town are still to secure the loan signing of David Nugent with Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp uncertain whether the England striker wants to join the Blues: "I'm not sure whether he wants to go or not. It's got to be his decision."
Jim Magilton says he expects the switch to take place next week once the player is convinced of his fitness after his groin problem.

The Town manager says that the home fans could turn on their team if they fail to take control in the early stages: "If Southampton do not start positively the crowd can get on to their backs.

"We must go there and present ourselves as a win would be ideal and as we start the game on the shoulder of the play-off pack.

"Southampton might be a bit low in confidence but they have some good players and will be desperate to win.

"Their new manager Nigel Pearson has come through a good managerial education and I am sure he will do a good job at a fantastic club that should always be looking for a place in the Premier League.

Pearson, who was interviewed for Town job in the summer of 2006 but lost out to Magilton, last took control of a team against the Blues when caretaker-manager of West Brom in October of 2006, his side running out 5-1 winners at Portman Road. Saturday's game is his first at St Mary's as Southampton boss after he succeeded George Burley earlier in the month.

The Saints, currently 19th in the table, are expecting their biggest crowd of the season with the Southampton ClubFanzine site, the Ugly Inside, describing Saturday's match as "undoubtedly the most important game of the season so far”.

Pearson says his side have to force their game on the Blues: "Ipswich have had a very good season and I have a lot of respect for them. We have to deal with what they throw at us and impose ourselves on the game.

"Knowing Jim and his connections here, I am sure he will want to out on a good show. That's fine - we want to do the same and to go out and beat them.

"I have great respect for what they have achieved because they had a difficult time last year. They have come a long way and we have to make sure we get safe and then do the same thing next year."

There are several former Town players in the Southampton squad. Kelvin Davis will be in goal, while Jermaine Wright is likely to be in the midfield. Full-back Chris Makin has been out of the first team picture since September after undergoing hip surgery.

Keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is out of action for around six weeks with a thumb injury, while full-back Alexander Ostlund is not yet ready for a return to first team action after a thigh problem. Central defender Darren Powell will miss out with a calf injury and winger Nathan Dyer is unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery.

Veteran Claus Lundekvam is still out with a long-term ankle problem, but midfielder Youssef Safri is back after a four-game suspension.

The Blues have generally had the better of the Saints over the years, winning 25 games between the sides (24 in the league), drawing 16 (16) and losing 19 (15). Earlier in the season the Blues won the Portman Road fixture 2-0 with Jon Walters and Pablo Couñago netting the goals.

Saturday's referee is Mick Russell from Hertfordshire, who has shown 64 yellow cards and four reds in 30 games so far this season. His last Town game was the 2-1 home victory over Preston in October in which he booked three players including Gary Roberts.

Likely squad: Bruce, Bywater, Colgan, Couñago, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Norris, Miller, Naylor, Quinn, Sito, Sumulikoski, Trotter, Walters, Wright.

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