x

Reserves Face Pompey - Ipswich Town News

Town reserves will hope to make it four wins in a row when they face Portsmouth's second string at Portman Road this evening (KO 7pm). There will also be a number of players looking to impress Joe Royle ahead of Saturday's home game with Sheffield United.

Strikers Dean Bowditch and Alun Armstrong have both been in impressive form lately, and have scored nine goals between them in the last two reserves matches.

With Pablo Couñago out for around a month due to a hamstring problem they will be looking to replace him, although Darren Bent appears to be ahead of them at present after scoring in the first team draw at Derby.

Manager Joe Royle says he he has been impressed with all three strikers: "The two lads have been doing very well in the reserves but Darren came back and scored so they are all in with a chance."

central defender John McGreal continues his comeback after his back problems while Martijn Reuser will get another game under his belt as he gets over his groin injury.

Dutch midfielder Nabil Abidallah returns to the Town line-up after illness but Matt Bloomfield is out after suffering a knee problem in the reserves 6-1 win against Fulham last week.

Ex-Town loanee Mark Burchill may be in the Pompey side, which promises to be stronger than the Forest and Fulham teams beaten so comfortably recently.

Reserves: Price, Hogg, Barron, Mitchell, McGreal, Collins, Reuser, Abidallah, Armstrong, Bowditch, Flack, Morrow, Supple, Synnott, Atay and Manning.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney ÂŁ35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney ÂŁ35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.