Striker Billy Clarke will not be involved in Saturday's game at Barnsley due to his ankle injury. But midfielders Gary Roberts and Gavin Williams are both included in the party travelling to Oakwell.

Clarke injured his ankle in Sunday's derby victory over Norwich and was due to train this morning but boss Jim Magilton was keen not to risk him if there was any doubt about his condition: "If he is fit and well he will travel and play at Oakwell. If he's not, he will stay here with a view to him being fit for Derby next Wednesday.

"It's the same with Gary Roberts. He has missed training this week but will take part this morning and we'll see how he goes."

Roberts, one of the stars of the derby win, picked up a slight groin injury in training a few days ago.

Magilton's midfield options are improving with Owen Garvan back in the squad last week and pushing for a return to first team action after his virus problems.

Gavin Williams was due to play alongside Garvan in the reserves at Needham Market on Wednesday until the game succumbed to the weather. The Welshman is likely to join Garvan on the bench in South Yorkshire.

Goalkeepers are the main concern for boss Jim Magilton with Mike Pollitt recalled to Wigan after just one appearance for the Blues. Shane Supple will play despite the effects of his groin problem, while Jaroslav Drobný has a hamstring injury. Lewis Price is back in training after his broken rib and is on the bench but is not yet ready for a first team start.

The Blues are unlikely to make any changes at the back with Dan Harding on the left, Matthew Bates on the right and Jason De Vos and Alex Bruce continuing in the middle.

In midfield, Walton and Legwinski will play in the centre with Matt Richards on the left and Gary Roberts on the right, if he's fit. Should the loanee from Accrington Stanley fail to make it, Jaime Peters will probably come into the side.

Owen Garvan is probably not yet ready for a start and his introduction would probably require a reorganisation of the centre of midfield which did so well against Norwich on Sunday.

Derby day hero Haynes is the obvious replacement for Clarke up front, although Jon Macken will also be standing by. Alan Lee will want to get back in the goals after going four Town games without adding to his total of eight for the season.

It's been all change at Barnsley this week with manager Andy Ritchie sacked and a host of loan players coming in before yesterday's deadline. Academy manager Simon Davey has taken over as caretaker-manager and added Ronnie Wallwork, Kyel Reid, Grant McCann and Leon Knight to his options, all of whom are expected to be in Saturday's squad. Winger Michael McIndoe and striker Tommy Wright have both left Oakwell.

The Tykes, currently second from bottom of the table, have no new injuries or suspensions and have top scorer Marc Richards back after a thigh injury.

Caretaker-boss Davey says the Tykes have watched Town in action and have been impressed: "Ipswich are coming here off a good result last weekend, they are a big club who have started to win games. The chief scout [Martin Wilkinson] has watched them and we know to expect a tough game.

Davey says he may move from the formation used by Ritchie: "I've got quite an open mind. We can operate 4-4-2, but if I think I've got the players suited better to another system I'll change it. We will also look at the opposition.

"Hopefully we can get points in the bag. The most important thing is the players now and we have to make sure that they wear that shirt with pride.

"We don't have to please anyone but the board and the fans - and the way to do that is by collecting points. I've a fair idea of the team in my mind. There will be changes."

The game is the first between the two sides since the 2000 Division One play-off final at Wembley which the Blues won 4-2. Of the current Town squad only Richard Naylor, Fabian Wilnis and manager Jim Magilton played in that game, Naylor scoring and playing the best match of his Town career. None of the Barnsley players involved are still with the club.

Saturday's referee is Eddie Ilderton from Tyne and Wear who has shown 42 yellow and four red cards in 14 games so far this season. Ilderton's last Town game was the 3-1 defeat at Preston in March during which he controversially red-carded Richard Naylor for a professional foul.

Squad: Bates, Bruce, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, Macken, Naylor, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Supple, Walton and Williams.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls