Town are hoping to prevent a flu bug sweeping the club from affecting the first team ahead of Sunday's derby at Norwich. Owen Garvan missed last week's match at home to Sheffield United, while office staff and manager Jim Magilton have also been struck down.

A club spokesman said: "We are doing all we can to keep any bugs away from the players and looking to keep a clean bill of health among those set to travel to Norwich at the weekend.”

Garvan has resumed training after recovering from the bug and could well return to the side at Carrow Road.

The Blues have switched this week's training sessions to reflect Sunday's 1.15pm kick-off time with former England coach Don Howe taking two sessions on Tuesday. Howe will return again later in the season.

Magilton has given the squad the day off today with preparations for the match continuing on Friday and Saturday.

Jon Walters is hoping to be over his hamstring problem in time to return to the side at Carrow Road.

Norwich have received some good news on the injury front with defenders Adam Drury, Ryan Bertrand and Elliott Omozusi all cleared to face the Blues.

However, the Canaries are definitely without long-term absentee Dejan Stefanovic, while on-loan Celtic defender John Kennedy is suspended after receiving a red card at the weekend.

Lee Probert from Wiltshire has been named as Sunday's referee. The Premier League official has shown 35 yellow and two red cards in 14 games so far this season. His last Town match was the 2-1 defeat at Watford earlier in the season when he booked Iván Campo and Moritz Volz.

Meanwhile, Town are close to announcing how they will deal with the cut in the rate of VAT. We understand that the plan won't simply be a reduction in the matchday ticket price, but that the club are looking at an approach which will benefit all supporters.

Chief executive Derek Bowden told TWTD last week: "We're going to announce something soon. The cut will be reflected and we will reveal a plan in the next few days.”

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