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Stewart Supports Postponement - Ipswich Town News

Town striker Marcus Stewart has says he supports the UEFA decision to postpone all tonight's UEFA Cup matches. The striker was rated very doubtful to be fit for the game with Torpedo Moscow which will now be played next week.

Stewart said: "I was horrified by the events in America, I watched the events unfold on TV and I'm totally shocked. I agree with UEFA's decision to cancel European matches as a mark of respect, and I'm surprised the FA or Football League didn't cancel last night's [Worthington] Cup matches."

The delay means that Stewart is more likely to be fit for the game with Torpedo, he suffered a hamstrong problem in the Leicester game. "From a personal point of view I suppose I should be pleased the game has been postponed because I wasn't going to be fit to play, and this means I have more time to recover but it's difficult to see any poitives in [Tuesday's] tragic events."

Other players carrying injuries, Fabian Wilnis and Tommy Miller, will also be nearer fitness by next Thursday.

The BBC have confirmed that the re-arranged Torpedo Moscow game will be screened live on BBC1. The game will kick-off at 8.05pm as the original tie was scheduled to do.

Manchester United are reported to have refused to move their game with Town on September 22nd. The Blues had wanted to move the game to the day after to allow more time for players to recover. However, United's Champions' League game with Lille is on the Tuesday giving them only a short time to recover after the Town match.

Town manager George Burley said: "They don't have to move the game and as they have a Champions' League on the Tuesday, I can understand their reluctance. Obviously we would like to have had more time to recover after playing Torpedo on the Thursday but we will just have to accept it and get on with things the best we can."

Wayne Brown is to have a spell on loan at Wimbledon. The defender almost went to the Dons this time last year, but injury prevented him from making the move.

The loan is with a view to a permanent switch which comes as little surprise given Brown's lack of chances since promotion, although injury has been a contributing factor. This season he played in a number of pre-season games before being involved in both reserve matches.

Brown said: "I have only played in those two reserve game and there is not another match for a fortnight. I need to be playing regular football and this will give me an ideal opportunity to do that."

Last season Brown had a spell at QPR, but this was only intended as a short stay. This time it could be more long-term: "I'm going for a month, if I enjoy it and all goes well, then we will look at things after that."

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