Town boss Paul Jewell could have Gareth McAuley and Connor Wickham back in his side when the Blues travel to Leicester for their final game of the season on Saturday (KO 12.45pm). The match looks set to be Blues captain David Norris’s last for Town with the midfielder understood to have decided to leave the club in the summer when his contract is up.
Jewell says one-time Leicester man McAuley and Wickham are closing in on returns after their groin and rib problems: "Gareth McAuley is going to train this morning and we’ll see how Connor is, he may train.
"We had a few injuries last week and it showed that when we get a few injuries to key players, we are stretched.
"As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not just a game of 11, it’s about 21 or 22 players who can come in and not weaken the team.”
While Jewell says no developments are likely on the contract situations involving McAuley and skipper David Norris until next week, Norris is believed to have decided to leave the Blues on a free Bosman transfer in the summer having failed to agree new terms at Portman Road.
The midfielder, Town’s Players’ Player of the Year this season, is understood to have three or four clubs chasing him with Wigan Athletic now his most reported destination, despite Portsmouth previously having been seen as the favourites for his signature. Nottingham Forest and Leeds have also long been mentioned in connection with the 30-year-old.
Norris turned down a new deal with the Blues before Christmas and negotiations have continued more recently with the Peterborough-born player wanting a three-year contract rather than the two additional seasons being offered by Town.
McAuley may also be involved in his last match for the club with Rangers strongly tipped to sign the Northern Irishman in the summer.
Elsewhere, Sunderland have again been linked with Town striker Connor Wickham, who was reported to be a Newcastle target yesterday.