x

Mahon 50/50 for Saturday - Ipswich Town News

On loan midfielder Alan Mahon is rated as 50/50 to make Saturday's league game with Watford at Vicarage Road. Blues' boss Joe Royle has a long injury list and may have to bring in more loanees prior to facing the Hornets.

Matt Richards took a blow to the face last night, but Royle thinks the full-back is more likely to be fit for the weekend trip: "Matt wasn't concussed, but he was very groggy last night.

"The coach was delayed as the doctor saw him and I'm just hoping he wakes up this morning with nothing more than a headache.

"Alan came off early as a precaution but even at this stage I wouldn't rate his chances of playing on Saturday as any better than 50/50."

Royle will speak to physio Dave Williams regarding his injured players today and the conversation could take some time, the Portman Road injury list being somewhat extensive at present.

In addition to Mahon and Richards, Drissa Diallo and Darren Bent both picked up medial ligament injuries at the weekend while John McGreal and Martijn Reuser are working on their fitness after back and groin injuries respectively. Neither are likely to feature for some weeks and McGreal is set to see another specialist today.

First team regulars Chris Makin (torn thigh) and Tommy Miller (bruised knee bone) are both out for around three to four weeks.

Dutch midfielder Nabil Abidallah has been suffering with tendinitis recently and Antonio Murray picked up a leg injury in the reserves at Chelsea last week.

Darren Bent is the only one of the list who may be fit for Watford, although Drissa Diallo could be back in two weeks.

Royle says he and chief scout Colin Suggett have drawn up lists of loan players they could target: "We have contingency plans for all positions and I'm ready to move if I have to."

What to read next:

Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.
Blues Beaten By Hammers in Behind Closed Doors Friendlies
Town played two 60-minute behind-closed-doors friendlies with West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground this afternoon.
Halajko New Director of Football Operations, Chenery Appointed Academy Manager
Dmitri Halajko, previously Town’s academy director, has been appointed the new director of football operations, TWTD having revealed Gary Probert’s departure for a job at Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Ben Chenery has been named academy manager.
Town Women Sign Striker Dean
Ipswich Town Women have signed striker Rianna Dean following her Southampton exit at the end of last season.
Chaplin: Opener at Birmingham One to Look Forward To
Ipswich Town’s season opener against Birmingham City is a clash that the whole squad are looking forward to, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Fourteen Sign Contracts Ahead of WSL2 Campaign
Town have confirmed that 14 players have signed new contracts with the women’s side for the WSL2 season ahead.
U21s in Action at Needham
Town’s U21s are in friendly action against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at Bloomfields this evening (KO 7.45pm).
Town Women to Host Villa U21s in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women will play a friendly against WSL side Aston Villa’s U21s at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August (KO 2pm).
Town Yet to Open Young Talks
TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.