Striker Noel Hunt is delighted to have returned to fitness in time to be involved in the play-offs. The 32-year-old suffered a knee injury in the closing stages of the 2-1 win at Fulham in February and had been expected to miss the rest of the season.
"It’s been really good, I’ve worked hard alongside the physios and the other lads and they’ve put me through my paces,” Hunt told Ipswich Player.
"It was hard work but it’s all been worth it because I’m back now for the last few games and hopefully I can be involved.
"My general fitness isn’t too bad either which is good. I trained last week in full and I’ve done a bit extra this week.
"Obviously I was on the bench at Blackburn, which was a real boost, and now we have two huge games coming up against Norwich that I want to hopefully be a part of.”
Meanwhile, Russell Osman is set to pair up with his old Blues central defensive partner Terry Butcher as the former England skipper’s assistant at Newport County. Butcher took over as boss at Rodney Parade last week.
Elsewhere, former Blue Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been released by League One champions Bristol City.
Manager Steve Cotterill explained the decision: "I know there are potentially a few people interested in him. I’ve spoken to people about him in the last few weeks and I’ve told them what a wonderful character he is.
"Jay has never been a minute’s bother for me from the moment I walked in through the door. I love him to bits; he’s a fantastic lad.
"The one thing he needs is regular football. I’ve not been able to offer him that this year and if I couldn’t do that this year then there are no guarantees for next year either.”
Emmanuel-Thomas, 24, who scored 33 goals in 103 games for the Robins, moved to Ashton Gate in a swap deal which saw Paul Anderson move in the other direction in July 2013.