x

Town Wait on Shefki - Ipswich Town News

Manager Joe Royle says he will wait on the fitness of striker Shefki Kuqi ahead of Saturday's top of the table clash at Wigan. The Finnish international is convinced he will be OK to play some role at the JJB Stadium.

Royle said: "Shefki certainly thinks he has a chance and we haven't totally given up on him. He will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness.

"But he still hasn't played football since the injury and I have a couple of ideas in my head as to what we will do at Wigan if he doesn't make it."

Kuqi himself is hassling Town's medical staff to give him the go-ahead: "Things are improving all the time and I know I'm a quick healer, but it's the first time I've had an injury like this and I know it has to be properly healed inside before I can start playing again.

"I feel I am ready to go and do this and do that but these guys know their job and I have to be guided by what they say."

Kuqi picked up the gash to his thigh in the 2-1 win against Leicester. In his absence the Blues have picked up just one point from three games.

Town are also without James Scowcroft on Saturday as the loanee is suspended after reaching five bookings.

If Kuqi fails to make it into the starting line-up he may be on the bench with Spaniard Pablo Couñago and Dean Bowditch amongst Royle's attacking options. Midfielder Darren Currie could also be used as a striker.

Town's lack of frontmen could also mean that youngsters Darryl Knights and Billy Clarke might be in with a shout at a place on the bench.

There will be no Jason De Vos for Town at Wigan, the former Latic unable to face his old side having also reached five bookings. Loanee David Unsworth looks likely to move into the middle with Matt Richards or Danny Karbassiyoon coming in at left-back.

Manager Royle has revealed that last season's Player of the Year Ian Westlake will be recalled to the starting line-up against the Lancastrians.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Burley Given All-Clear After Cancer Treatment
Blues legend George Burley has been given the all-clear following his recent cancer treatment.
TWTV Video Verdict - Brentford Plus Alan Lee and Season Stats
The TWTV team reflect on the 1-0 home defeat to Brentford and are joined by former Town striker Alan Lee to look at the Blues’ frontline as well as Adam Wilkin, who provides a statistical overview of the season.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Brentford - Highlights
Highlights of this afternoon’s 1-0 home defeat to Brentford.
Frank: Exactly as Difficult as I Expected
Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted his side’s 1-0 victory over the Blues was as difficult as he had anticipated.
McKenna: VAR is Taking Away From the Game
Boss Kieran McKenna believes VAR “in its current guise” is “taking from the game as a spectacle”, the Blues’ 1-0 home defeat to Brentford having been repeatedly stopped for incidents which the Town manager believes were marginal decisions rather than clear and obvious errors.
Palmer: We Need to Sustain Pressure For Longer Periods
Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer feels sustaining a performance over 90 minutes is the Blues’ target following the 1-0 defeat to Brentford at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Brentford - Match Report
Kevin Schade’s 18th-minute goal saw Brentford to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. The German international headed home a controversial three-times-taken corner with the Blues ultimately worthy of a point, Omari Hutchinson coming closest with a late strike which visitors keeper Mark Flekken pushed onto a post.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Brentford - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Brentford - Half-Time
Kevin Schade’s 18th-minute goal has given Brentford a 1-0 half-time lead over the Blues at Portman Road.