Shane Supple is set to return to the Town side at Barnsley on Saturday, despite suffering from a groin strain in recent weeks. Supple is one of a number of players who has recently been working with specialist kicking coach Dave Aldred.

Supple is the fittest of Town's three goalkeepers at present with Lewis Price not ready after his rib injury and Jaro Drobný having picked up a hamstring problem but likely to take his place on the bench. Otherwise, youngster Andy Plummer could be called into the first team squad.

Kicking coach Aldred was dropped from his role with the England rugby union squad over the summer but previously worked with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Charlie Hodgson. In football Aldred has coached Chelsea's Joe Cole and Middlesbrough's Mark Schwartzer.

Boss Jim Magilton says Aldred's time with Town has been useful: "It has been very good and I'm sure they will benefit from his input."

The Town coaching staff have been critical of Supple's kicking in recent weeks.

There were no moves in or out of Town on emergency deadline day, Darren Currie having completed his move to Coventry earlier in the week. Reserves striker Darryl Knights is reported to be joining Falkirk for training sessions with a loan spell a possibility in January.

Barnsley added four loan players to their squad ahead of Saturday's game: striker Leon Knight, winger Kyel Reid and midfielders Grant McCann and Ronnie Wallwork. Moving out of Oakwell were winger Michael McIndoe and striker Tommy Wright.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls