Mark Venus will miss tomorrow's FA Cup match at Morecambe. Venus picked up an ankle injury and a bruise on the shin in training and looks certain to miss out. He was also missing from the squad announced yesterday as people with more eagle eyes than your correspondent spotted.
John McGreal is also a worry with a minor knee injury. George Burley said: "He had to cut short training yesterday, but we will give him every possible chance."
If both Venus and McGreal miss out it looks likely that Hermann Hreidarsson with partner Titus Bramble at central defence. Full-backs will be chosen from Jamie Clapham, Fabian Wilnis, Gary Croft and perhaps Amir Karic if George Burley wishes to continue with Clapham in midfield. If Clapham goes to left back then it looks likely that Martijn Reuser will return. The Dutchman was unlucky to miss out at Sunderland after a storming display against Spurs. If he performs well again he could line himself up for a place inthe Worthington Cup semi-final side.
Up front Town seem certain to start with Stewart and Armstrong, although we would imagine that David Johnson would get a try at some point during the afternoon. A few goals against non-league oppositon might just be what he needs to get his goalscoring confidence back again.
Town manager George Burley said of tomorrow's game: "We have had a lot of games and are competing in three competitions, but all credit to the players are they are still rearing to go and have been very professional in their approach to each match."
He continued: "Morecambe are a good footballing side - we have had them watched on more than one occasion and they like to get the ball down and pass it. There is no doubt that they will be up for it and it is like a Cup Final match for them so we will be going there giving it every thing we have and looking at going through to the 4th Round. Everyone is watching up for a Cup shock and we will use that to our advantage. We might not have the largest squad but I must say that they are all quality players and I am delighted with their performances to date."
Town squad: R Wright, Branagan, Salmon, Wilnis, Clapham, Croft, Karic, Brown, Hreidarsson, McGreal, Bramble, Holland, Magilton, J Wright, Reuser, Scowcroft, Stewart, Johnson and Armstrong.
The FA is preventing any commentary on tomorrow's game over the Internet. As usual a TWTD report will be up withina n hour of the game finishing, but you can't get local radio where you are you can generally be kept up to date by other Town fans on the TWTD Message Board http://www.twtd.co.uk/messages or in the chatroom, use same address and check out the interactive section.
The Town manager George Burley has denied media speculation that Chelsea had made an enquiry for Matt Holland. The story appeared over the weekend and again yesterday with Holland quickly re-committing himself to the Town cause.
The Town manager said: "This is pure speculation and unfounded. I have had no contact at all from Chelsea. Matt Holland is a superb captain and I am sure attracts the attention of other Clubs but we have had no approach for him from Chelsea."
He also added to his previous statement on the David Johnson situation: "We have had an offer for David Johnson by Nottingham Forest and the Club has rejected this bid. I have also spoken to David and understand his feelings on the matter. David is looking very sharp but Marcus Stewart is holding his own and doing an excellent job scoring 13 goals to date this season."
Richard Naylor looks likely to return to full training at the end of next week. The striker has been out with a minor leg break and might have trouble getting back in the side now that Alun Armstrong has been signed. The Yorkshireman is not rushing his return and said: "It is a case of being patient and coming on slowly. Hopefully I will get a couple of reserve matches in by the end of the month.
Town fans have once again been praised by opposition representatives, this time Sunderland. Apparently we're the best behaved fans in the land according to Northumbria police who said in a report: "Ipswich Town supporters can only be described as the best behaved supporters aever seen at the Stadium of Light and shoul be commended."
Town fans are top of the Premier League's supporters' behaviour league and have received similar plaudits form elsewhere this season including Liverpool and Everton.