x

Magilton to Start - Ipswich Town News

Town skipper Jim Magilton will return to the starting line-up for the Blues' two home games this week. Manager Joe Royle left the Northern Irish veteran on the bench at Preston on Friday but has confirmed he will start against Watford and QPR.

Royle says Magilton was restricted to 45 minutes at Deepdale to save his ageing legs: "Bearing in mind the two home games, I wanted Jim fresh, so I gave him a rest. Maintaining our home form is vital to us, and Jim is vital to us, as it showed again."

Striker James Scowcroft will make the 250th appearance of his two spells with the Blues on Tuesday, while some confusion surrounds the number of bookings he has received this season.

According to some sources, his yellow card on Friday was the 29-year-old's fifth of the season, however, both Town and Leicester's official sites report that it was his fourth (although the Town site latterly also reports that it was his fifth). Scowcroft is also not included on the FA's list of players suspended or with suspensions pending.

If the caution was Scowcroft's fifth of the season, then he would miss Saturday's game against QPR. However, Friday's referee Matt Messias has indicated that he will have a second look at his decision to book the frontman in the Preston game.

Video evidence seems to indicate that Scowcroft won the ball in the challenge with Chris Sedgwick and it's likely that Messias will reverse his decision, leaving Scowcroft's total at three or four at the most.

The Town pitch is under cover ahead of the Watford game with Siberian conditions expected over the next 48 hours. Groundsman Alan Ferguson and his staff are working round the clock not just to clear the pitch but the concourses and the approaches to the ground.

Squad: Bent, Bowditch, Currie, Davis, De Vos, Horlock, Karbassiyoon, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Price, Richards, Scowcroft, Unsworth, Westlake, Wilnis.

What to read next:

Saudi Club in Cajuste Talks
Former Blues loanee Jens Cajuste’s future could now be in Saudi Arabia with Neom the latest club to show interest in signing the Napoli midfielder on loan.
French Club Eyeing Al-Hamadi
Ligue 1 Toulouse are reportedly showing interest in Blues striker Ali Al-Hamadi.
Town Women Re-Sign Doe on Permanent Deal
Ipswich Town Women have re-signed midfielder Ruby Doe for a third spell, this time on a permanent basis.
Town Among Clubs Linked With McBurnie
Town are reported to be among a number of Championship clubs showing interest in free agent Scotland international striker Oli McBurnie.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town Still to Accept Broadhead Bid
Town are still to accept a bid from Championship new boys Wrexham for Wales international Nathan Broadhead, TWTD understands.
Academy Scholar Longwe Joins Seasiders on Loan
Academy central midfielder Usisya Longwe has joined Isthmian North Division Felixstowe & Walton on loan.
Pert: Young Will Be a Real Asset
Assistant manager Martyn Pert believes new signing Ashley Young will be a “real asset” for the Blues in the season ahead, the former England international having made his first appearance in a Town shirt in last night’s 2-1 friendly victory over Charlton Athletic at Colchester’s JobServe Community Stadium.
Mazionis Completes Cheltenham Loan Move
Young Blues central defender Jacob Mazionis has completed his season-long loan switch to League Two Cheltenham Town.
Wrexham Closing in On Broadhead Signing
Town are understood to have agreed a fee from Wrexham for forward Nathan Broadhead.