x

Forster on the Bench - Ipswich Town News

Striker Nicky Forster will be on the bench when the Blues face Crewe at Portman Road on Saturday. Forster has been out of action since undergoing a cartilage operation in mid-August having made only three appearances after joining Town on a free transfer in the summer.

Forster was back in training with the first team on Thursday having previously joined in with the Academy players. The former Reading man felt no ill effects and boss Joe Royle says that barring any adverse developments he will be available for the visit of the Railwaymen: "Nicky will be in the squad for the weekend if he trains without any problems.

"He will only be on the bench though, because he hasn't any football whatsoever for several weeks."

Forster's recovery means Ian Westlake remains Town's only long-term injury absentee, the midfielder's ankle problem keeping him out of action until December.

Royle will be able to name the same team for the third game running but may choose to make one or two changes after the midweek 3-0 defeat at Burnley.

The back four looks likely to stay the same but there could be a switch in midfield, Kevin Horlock or Jim Magilton perhaps being left out with Jimmy Juan or Dean McDonald candidates to come into the side. If Magilton is involved he will make his 250th Town league appearance.

Up front, Sam Parkin and Dean Bowditch, making his 50th league appearance for the Blues, will continue with Forster likely to take over from the England U19 international at some point during the second half.

The Town manager says that he is still looking for a finish in the play-off positions: "I have always said that the top six, rather than the top two, represents the more realistic target for us this season.

"If the top two keep winning and extend the gap between themselves and the rest it means fewer points that the other teams around us can collect.

"We have had too much change to be automatic promotion candidates. Yes, we have some promising young players but when you put kids in the side it can be a case, literally, of boys against men.

"You need a balance and we have been affected by injuries and suspensions over the past few weeks. Burnley couldn't get the ball off us in the first half on Tuesday, but the problem was that we never looked as if we would score.

"That's what we will be looking to change on Saturday at home to Crewe. We must be more menacing in front of goal."

Town's last two home games against Crewe have ended 6-4 and 5-1 and Royle isn't expecting a goalless draw this time around: "It's an important match for both teams. We will both be trying to get midweek defeats out of our systems.

"And bearing in mind what has happened in this fixture over the past two seasons, I suppose a 0-0 draw is unlikely!"

Crewe could be without defender Anthony Tonkin who has a calf injury and missed the midweek 4-0 defeat to Wolves. Ross Turnbull (knee) and Adie Moses (calf) are definitely ruled out.

Saturday's referee is Clive Penton from Sussex who has shown 34 yellow and three red cards in 10 games this season. Penton last refereed the Blues last October when Town defeated Coventry 2-1 at Highfield Road.

Squad from: Price, Supple, Sito, McEveley, Wilnis, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton, Horlock, Currie, Garvan, Juan, Bowditch, Forster, Parkin, McDonald.

What to read next:

U18s Off Bottom After Claiming First Win
Town’s U18s climbed off the bottom of U18 Premier League South by beating Birmingham City 3-0 at Playford Road this morning.
Ipswich Town 1-0 West Bromwich Albion - Highlights
Highlights of Town’s 1-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Clarke: Super-Sub Not the Worst Label to Have!
Town winger Jack Clarke admitted he does not mind the ‘super-sub’ tag after his heroics off the bench earned the Blues a vital 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion at Portman Road.
Mason: If Your Concentration Slips, You Get Punished
West Brom head coach Ryan Mason was disappointed and frustrated with his team’s 1-0 defeat to the Blues at Portman Road, but admitted they didn’t do enough to win the game.
McKenna On Szmodics and Akpom Injuries
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says Sammie Szmodics suffered a knee problem during this afternoon’s 1-0 home victory over West Brom, which will be investigated, while he is hopeful Chuba Akpom’s issue is just an impact injury.
McKenna: The Type of Win I'd Have Picked to Benefit the Group
Town boss Kieran McKenna felt the Blues’ 1-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion was a win of the type he would have picked to benefit his squad.
Ipswich Town 1-0 West Bromwich Albion - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Ipswich Town 1-0 West Bromwich Albion - Match Report
Jack Clarke’s fifth goal of the season saw Town to a 1-0 victory over West Brom at Portman Road. The Blues were the better side throughout but had to wait until the 83rd minute for a goal, sub Clarke following up after an Ivan Azon effort had been saved, Jens Cajuste having forced an error as the Baggies passed out of their area.
Ipswich Town 0-0 West Bromwich Albion - Half-Time
The Blues and West Brom remain locked at 0-0 at half-time at Portman Road.
Women's U21s Face QPR at Felixstowe
Ipswich Town Women’s U21s host QPR in the FA Women’s National Development League at the Martello Ground, Felixstowe on Sunday afternoon (KO 2pm).