Full-back-turned-central defender Fabian Wilnis is expected to be fit enough to face Leicester City at Portman Road on Saturday. However, the Blues are without the suspended Alan Lee and Gary Roberts.

Wilnis, who was forced off with a foot injury at half-time during last week's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, is likely to continue at centre-half alongside Richard Naylor, whose toe problem is shouldn't stop him from playing. Dan Harding and David Wright will take up their regular full-back roles. Skipper Jason De Vos remains on the sidelines with a cracked metatarsal.

Lewis Price will play despite missing the Wales international against Northern Ireland this week. The keeper has been suffering with a thigh strain for a couple of months but his withdrawal from the Wales squad was precautionary rather than because he was struggling.

With Gavin Williams out of action with a pelvic injury and Gary Roberts suspended after reaching five bookings, boss Jim Magilton has recalled Darren Currie to his squad: “Darren looked very good in a reserve match at Southend this week and he will be in tomorrow's squad. He is part of our squad and will be used accordingly.”

The 32-year-old is unlikely to be given a start, but could come off the bench at some stage.

One man hoping to be in Jim Magilton's starting XI is recent signing George O'Callaghan. The Irishman has made two appearances from the bench since his move from Cork City but could replace Roberts on one of the flanks.

Jaime Peters has had a quiet couple of games but in Roberts's absence is likely to keep his place, with Sylvain Legwinski and Owen Garvan, who is expected to be over the knee injury he picked up at Selhurst Park, in the centre of midfield.

Up front, Alan Lee misses the first of two games after reaching 10 bookings at Palace but Jon Walters is OK after receiving several blows to the head in collisions with Leon Cort last week. The former Chester man is likely to be partnered by Billy Clarke, with Danny Haynes coming off the bench in the second half.

Leicester boss Rob Kelly is out to break a hoodoo which has seen the Foxes fail to win in the league at Portman Road for 19 years: "It's about time we went there and won. It's a good challenge for us and one we are looking forward to.

"That's all history now and I don't think it has relevance on the weekend's game.

"There's a reason that's happened. It's not an easy place to go. Traditionally, Ipswich are a particularly good team at home.

"They play good football, and I think Jim Magilton will keep up that tradition but it's time we went down there and won."

Kelly has added loanees Geoff Horsfield, Mark Yeates, Luigi Glombard and Jason Jarrett to his squad but will be without skipper Paddy McCarthy with a shoulder injury, while midfielder Danny Tiatto is missing due to a hamstring problem.

Striker Matty Fryatt (foot), defender Gareth McAuley (calf) and midfielder Stephen Hughes (back) are all considered doubts.

Saturday's referee is Carl Boyeson from East Yorkshire, who has shown 54 yellow and five red cards in 22 games so far this season. Boyeson's last Town game was the 4-2 win at QPR in December 2004.

Likely squad: Price, Supple, Wright, Sito, Harding, Wilnis, Naylor, Bruce, Legwinski, Garvan, Peters, O'Callaghan, Currie, Richards, Walters, Clarke, Haynes.

Photo: Action Images

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