Skipper Jason De Vos will miss the rest of the season after undergoing foot surgery. The central defender has had a number of foot problems during his career, both with Town and while with his previous clubs.

The Canadian said recently: “The metatarsal injury I suffered in January is fine, but the foot has a history and needs to be put right for next season.”

Town are already without Richard Naylor for the rest of 2006/07 due to a toe problem, while Alex Bruce is likely to be suspended for the season's remaining three games after being sent off against Derby, although the Blues are looking to appeal against his red card.

Fabian Wilnis came into the Town backline after Bruce's dismissal in Saturday and is now the club's most senior fit centre-half. David Wright has played at the centre of the defence during his career and filled in for the Blues at Stoke back in January.

Ian Miller, who made his Town debut against Plymouth as a sub, looks a more likely option for Jim Magilton and may well make his first start for the Blues in Sunday's East Anglian derby at Carrow Road.

Academy Player of the Year Tommy Smith could also come into the reckoning with Magilton keen to give the England U17 international a run-out in the first team before the end of the season even before the current central defensive crisis.

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