Tommy Miller is Joe Royle's biggest injury worry ahead of Saturday's home game with Wimbledon. The midfielder has a sore calf after Monday's game against Rotherham and will be tested on Friday before a decision is made on his fitness. Better news is that Darren Bent will be available again after missing out recently due to a hamstring injury.
Royle says the 19-year-old striker is a welcome addition to his squad: "He's done three days training now and he'll be back in at the weekend. We've missed him, he's bright, he's pacy, he gets in behind people and he's had a great first full season. We've missed his smile about the place as well.”
The Town squad will still be without Richard Naylor who twisted his knee at Coventry while John McGreal, Ian Westlake (both medial ligament injuries) and Finidi George (hip) are all out for the season. Mark Venus continues to recover from his knee operation but was not fit enough to play for the reserves on Wednesday.
Royle says that Saturday's opponents Wimbledon have had a mixed year: "They've had an up and down season, mostly dictated by injuries and sales. They are doing well, they've got good young players, they've used the loan system well - they've borrowed off Arsenal and Chelsea at different spells - and you must admire what has happened down there.
"Six weeks ago their manager was talking about them tagging on to the play-offs, at that stage they had had a good run but things haven't quite come through for them since.
"At the moment they haven't got their own ground, they've been orphans for a number of years, things are changing and they don't even know how many fans they're going to have next year. But they keep playing football and it's a long way from the aerial ping-pong that used to be played. Give them credit they are a good young side and they will be difficult to beat.”
Town are now very much outsiders for the play-offs after Monday's defeat at Rotherham, one bookmaker quoting them at 50/1. However, Royle says that it is still mathematically possible his side will still be aiming for a top six finish: "While that chance exists we've got to go for it. I'm motivated and if the players aren't motivated then they won't be on the pitch very long. I hope it goes to the last game of the season.”
The Town boss felt Town were their own worst enemies at Rotherham last week: "We switched off having been totally in control of the game for 80 minutes. The last ten minutes were not acceptable to me and we'll have to put that right.”
Royle was impressed with Steve McCall's reserves on Wednesday night when they beat Charlton 2-1. He felt there were a number of impressive performances, with the highlight of the game being Dean Bowditch's goal: "A great goal from the kid. We know he's a special talent. We've eased him and eased him out and rested him and he's got a big future at this club.”
The Portman Road crowd was also praised by the manager: "The crowd have been outstanding this season, we've had 29,000 crowds for the big games and the atmosphere against Portsmouth was exceptional. I'm sure they'll want to give the side a send-off at the last game of the season, and hopefully go away full of optimism for the new season.”
Likely Town squad: Abidallah, Armstrong, D Bent, M Bent, Couñago, Gaardsøe, Holland, Makin, Magilton, Marshall, Miller, Pullen, Reuser, Richards, Wilnis and Wright.