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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."

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