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Wilnis Returns
Wilnis Returns
Tuesday, 12th Sep 2006 10:55

Fabian Wilnis looks set to return to the Town defence when the Blues take on Coventry at Portman Road this evening (KO 7.45pm). The Dutchman is back in contention after missing Saturday's 2-1 home win over Southampton due to a thigh injury.

The Blues were shaky at the back against the Saints and were lucky not to concede more than the single goal. Wilnis is expected to take over at right-back from Alex Bruce with the Irish U21 international moving into central defence alongside Jason De Vos with Richard Naylor dropping to the bench.

Midfielder Gavin Williams, Town's player of the season so far, picked up a slight knock against Southampton but is expected to be fit enough to face the Sky Blues.

Town are still without Owen Garvan who is unlikely to be involved for at least a couple of months due to the post-viral syndrome he developed after his summer bout of shingles, while Jaime Peters also remains on the sidelines.

Jim Magilton could hand Sylvain Legwinski a first start in midfield, the Frenchman having made an assured if unspectacular debut as a second half sub on Saturday. The former Fulham man is likely to replace Matt Richards who had a disappointing game against George Burley's side.

Up front, Magilton has to decide which of his Irish strikers to pair. The Town boss may continue with the Alan Lee-Jon Macken partnership which failed to make much of an impact on Saturday, but Billy Clarke's livewire display and goal after coming off the bench could see him get the nod ahead of the loanee from Crystal Palace. Macken appeared short on fitness on his Town debut against the Saints after few starts for the Eagles this season.

Coventry are expected to hand a debut to former Canary Leon McKenzie, who was prevented from playing against his old club on Saturday under the terms of the agreement which saw him leave Carrow Road during the transfer window. McKenzie scored twice on his Norwich debut against Town at Portman Road in 2003 and will be hoping for a repeat performance.

Former Sunderland frontman Kevin Kyle, who scored his first Coventry goal in the 3-0 victory over the Canaries, is a minor concern with a thigh injury. Sky Blues boss Micky Adams has David McNamee (hamstring) and Jay Tabb (hernia) on the road to recovery and possibly ready to return to his side. Stuart Giddings (hamstring), Mikkel Bischoff and Wayne Andrews (both ankle) are currently on the sidelines.

Summer Town target Dele Adebola has spent most of his time on the bench this season and is unlikely to start unless Kyle fails to make it. A visit from Coventry means a return to Portman Road for ex-Town keeper Andy Marshall.

Tonight's referee is Paul Taylor from Hertfordshire who has shown 12 yellow and no red cards so far this season. Taylor was last at Portman Road in February when the Blues defeated Leicester 2-0.

Squad: Bowditch, Brittain, Bruce, Clarke, Currie, De Vos, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, Macken, Naylor, Noble, Price, Richards, Sito, Supple, Walton, Williams, Wilnis.


Photo: Action Images



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