Keeper Brian Murphy looks set to retain his place in the Town side when his former club Swansea visit Portman Road for Saturday’s live Sky game (KO 12.45pm, Sky Sports Two). Murphy was with the Swans between 2003 and 2006 but made only 18 appearances for the Welsh club before returning to Ireland to join Bohemians.

The 27-year-old, who left the League of Ireland club to sign for Town a year ago, is expected to make his third league appearance of the season with Hungarian glovesman Márton Fülöp still struggling with an ankle injury.

Boss Roy Keane says Murphy won’t let him down having again impressed during the midweek Carling Cup quarter-final victory over West Brom: “Márton is still very much doubtful. But we’ve got no problem with Murph and Arran Lee-Barrett being involved.

“Murph kept a clean sheet the other night and I thought he did reasonably well, not just with his goalkeeping but with setting us up for one or two counter-attacks. His overall play was good.

“Márton had a scan on Monday or Tuesday and there’s a little bit of damage there. Márton’s a big, strong man and you’ve got to be careful with the ankles on the boys who are 6ft 4in tall, particularly the goalkeepers with their kicking and twisting and turning.”

In addition to Fülöp, the Blues are also without Gareth McAuley, who recently underwent an achilles operation, Connor Wickham (thigh), Mark Kennedy and Luke Hyam (both hamstring). All three could be back in time for next week’s trip to Preston North End.

Keane says he was as pleased with his team’s display against West Brom as he was with the result: “It’s always nice winning football matches, but first and foremost the performance was very, very good. A good performance doesn’t always guarantee a good result, but it did the other night.

“We’re pleased and we’ve now got to take the cup form we’ve shown over the last few months into the league and try to get back up that table.”

The Blues boss, whose side is now 17th, is expecting a tough game against the team managed by his friend Brendan Rodgers, the two having studied for their coaching badges together: “We have to refocus and get ready for another tough game. Swansea play very good football, a bit like West Brom and we have to be ready.

“They are a very good team. They have been building well over the last few years. They missed out on the play-offs last year on the last day of the season.

“They keep the ball well, they have players who are suited to the system and they have a good manager in Brendan.

“It’s no surprise they’re near the top of the table. They certainly don’t concede many goals and it will be a tough ask for our players to produce another good performance.”

Keane, who denied that Rodgers had been lined up to come in as his assistant manager in the summer, says he has decisions to make with several players available again having missed out on Wednesday: “Damien’s suspension’s up, four of the lads who couldn’t get involved because they were cup-tied are available, but I want to be fair to the lads who did reasonably well the other night.

“It’ll be a tough job trying to pick our starting XI, whereas the other night we didn’t have many options. We’ll have a problem this weekend with a number of players available again.”

Rory Fallon, Jack Colback, Gianni Zuiverloon and Jake Livermore were all ineligible for the West Brom game having played in the Carling Cup for their parent clubs earlier in the season.

The Town manager says he will have to consider how the West Brom game will have affected players who haven’t been involved in too many recent matches: “We’ve got to remember the effort they put in the other night, it’s an early kick-off and we’ve got to look at the physical side for lads who perhaps haven’t played a lot of football -Troy, Jaime, people like that, Colin Healy’s looked sharp in the last week or two.”

In front of Murphy, Peters will probably get the nod ahead of Gianni Zuiverloon at right-back with Tommy Smith on the left of central defence. Damien Delaney is likely to return at centre-half after his ban, despite Troy Brown’s excellent performance against the Baggies.

Darren O’Dea’s girlfriend is still to give birth to their first child and the left-back could be called back to Glasgow at any time. Keane is hopeful that the baby will wait until O’Dea is given a few days off after Saturday before making its long-awaited appearance.

In midfield, Carlos Edwards will be back on the right from the start with Andros Townsend perhaps doing enough on Wednesday to get the nod ahead of Jack Colback on the left. Skipper David Norris and Grant Leadbitter will continue in the centre with former Swan Jason Scotland playing just behind Tamás Priskin in the Town attack.

The Blues’ third ex-Swansea player Rory Fallon is likely to play some part from the bench at some stage after making his debut late on in the Norwich match.

Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers says he and Keane talk often: "I speak to Roy regularly, but not this week!

"I did my Pro Licence with him and I have the ultimate respect for the man. We built up a friendship from there.

"Considering he was one of the top midfielders in the Premier League for a number of years, he could have taken a number of shortcuts to a coaching or managerial career. But he didn't, he went through the entire process of attaining his coaching badges - and that's the mark of the man.

"He wants Ipswich Town to be the very best they can be and he will push them all the way towards that.

"They have good players and are a good side. They started the season well, but have had more losses than wins recently. But they bounced back well in the cup against West Brom in the week and it will be interesting to see what Roy does on Saturday.

"It will be a tough game, but we will go there with confidence and looking to bounce back ourselves from the defeat against Portsmouth.''

Swansea sit in third in the Championship on 33 points, nine more than the Blues, having lost 2-1 at home to Portsmouth last week. Their away record this season is won four, drawn one and lost four.

Recently signed striker Jermaine Easter is sidelined with a thigh injury, while skipper Garry Monk was hoping to be back after missing the last two matches with a calf problem, although Welsh sources suggest he hasn't made the trip.

Over the years the results between the sides are neatly balanced, Town having won nine (seven in the league), Swansea also having been victorious on nine (nine) occasions, with nine (eight) matches ending in draws. Swansea last won at Portman Road in the 1981/82 campaign when they ran out 3-2 victors.

The teams last met at the Liberty Stadium in March when they played out a dull 0-0 draw. Earlier in 2009/10, the sides had drawn 1-1 at Portman Road. Craig Beattie put the visitors ahead in the sixth minute, but former Swans target Pablo Couñago equalised eight minutes later.

In addition to Murphy, Jason Scotland spent two years at Swansea before joining Wigan in 2009, netting 53 goals in 91 starts and 14 sub appearances during his time at the Liberty Stadium.

New Town loan signing Rory Fallon was with the Swans for a year between 2006 and 2007, scoring 13 goals in 40 starts and eight appearances from the bench. Shefki Kuqi is the only current Swan to have played for the Blues but is currently on loan at Derby.

As well as being shown by Sky in the UK, the game is also likely be screened live around the world.

Saturday’s referee is our old friend Andy D’Urso from Billericay, who has shown 39 yellow and two red cards in 14 games so far this season. His most recent Town match was the Carling Cup tie at Millwall in which he booked Connor Wickham and two Lions players.

Prior to that, he took control of the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United on the final day of last season in which he sent off debutant Tom Eastman for two bookable offences.

Squad from: Murphy, Lee-Barrett, Peters, Zuiverloon, O’Dea, Delaney, Smith, Brown, Eastman, Norris, Leadbitter, Healy, Livermore, Edwards, Townsend, Lambe, Colback, Civelli, O’Connor, Priskin, Scotland, Fallon, Murray.

Photo: Action Images

foster added 15:43 - Dec 3 he deserves his place he was good against west brom dont really like fulop hes clumsy my team for saturday murphy peters-smith-brown-o,dea zooloo-leadbitter-norris-townsend priskin-scotland bench-fulop-oconnor-colback-livermore-healy-fallon-murray
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greenkingtone added 15:50 - Dec 3 I hope Roy leaves the team as it was on Wednesday. If it ain't broke don't mend it.
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AYACCA added 15:54 - Dec 3 Same team that beat west brom should start. Delaney has always been too error prone - when Macauleys there its not so evident but without.... accident waiting to happen priskin is on fire at present, lets hope he starts scoring
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AJblue added 15:56 - Dec 3 I have NO problems with Murphy continuing in goal, thought he looked good on Wednesday. And I certainly have no problem with Peters carryinhg on at RB. The only problem i do have is D'urso.(A combination of D'urso & live tv, have me slightly nervous, but as a Town supporter you have got to believe in your team and expect 3 points on Saturday, haven't you?)
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Karlosius added 15:56 - Dec 3 Delaney to come in for Brown, and Edwards on the right for Lambe. That's all that needs to be tinkered. I really don't get why Colback's been starting over Townsend on the left. Strongly believe we need a winger on the wing!
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hogster1970 added 16:04 - Dec 3 defo agree if he tinkers and changes a well balanced attacking minded formation then he defo needs to go, lets go toe to toe and show world we can play foottie after all
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Footballpete added 16:04 - Dec 3 Why why whhhyyy Delany???
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arc added 16:05 - Dec 3 Got to keep Brown in the side. Brown and Smith or Brown and Delaney works as a partnership; Delaney and Smith has been disastrous. (Perhaps O'Dea will be away and we can have Eastman/Peters/Zuiverloon, Brown, Delaney, Smith...)
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Big_Foot_Blue added 16:11 - Dec 3 Would normally agree karlosius but Brwon did very well on Wednesday and If it was me I would bench Delaney unless of course O'Deas missus goes into Labour before then
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Mark added 16:24 - Dec 3 Keane said Murphy did "reasonably well", he sure knows how to bump his players up! I would keep the side that started the second half on Wednesday, as they did us proud. Peters was outstanding and showed what we have been missing when Eastman played right-back. Brown did a good job in the correct position (being right footed, unlike Delaney). Townsend offered much more of an attacking threat down the left than Colback. If Zuiverloon is to be accommodated, then I would suggest moving Peters to the right of midfield as I do not think Jamie should be dropped again. What was Keane thinking leaving him out for so many weeks?!

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devontractorboy added 17:08 - Dec 3 Please keep the same team Mr Keane with the exception of Lambe, Edwards in for him. I'm not sure I agree with the fact that Priskin is 'on fire'. His finishing was poor on Wednesday night, but at least his approach play is good, the goals I hope will come! We need to get our pride back after last Sunday in the Championship, I can't see any young professional players should be 'tired' after Wednesday, it's their job and they should be fit enough!!

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brian_a_mul added 17:15 - Dec 3 West Brom diddnt really turn up on wednesday. Swansea will be fired up for this one, expect a much more combative game where they will have the majority of possession. I would put Delaney in there. Browne is a decent CB and right footed. Its a close call between him and Smith for to partner Delaney. Peters deserves to keep his place. Colback is good but also provides good cover from bench (LB, LM, CM). I would love to see Murray start a game with Priskin, I think their energy and movement will create space. Priskin has ability to drag defenders where Ronan could use pace to get in behind. Murray/ Edwards/Townsend/ Peters provide great outlets for quick counter attacks. This could be our best way to get chances against a good Swansea team who like to get forward! Murphs Peters Delaney Smith O Dea Edwards Norris Leadbitter Townsend Murray Priskin

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brian_a_mul added 17:17 - Dec 3 Also great to see Keane sticking with 2 up front!
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Back_The_Boss added 17:42 - Dec 3 Deserves to keep his place. COYB!
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JetaimePeters added 17:54 - Dec 3 “Damien's suspension's up, four of the lads who couldn't get involved because they were cup-tied are available, but I want to be fair to the lads who did reasonably well the other night." REASONABLY WELL! THOSE LADS IF FIT SHOULD ALL START - THEYVE EARNT THE PLACES TO LOSE! WHAT DO YOU THINK ITS LIKE BEING GIVEN A CHANCE, BEATING A TEAM AGAINST ALL ODDS WITH A GREAT TEAM PERFORMANCE BEFORE BEING KICKED OUT BY THE MANAGERS FAVOURITES, MOST OF WHOM ARE LOANIES AND DESERVE TO LOSE THEIR PLACE CAUSE THEY HAVENT BEEN DOING ANYTHING LIKE THE BUSINESS! “It'll be a tough job trying to pick our starting XI, whereas the other night we didn't have many options. We'll have a problem this weekend with a number of players available again.” ITS NOT A PROBLEM! IF A PLAYER IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THEIR LAST MATCH THEN THESE LADS ARE WINNERS AND THE NORWICH BUNCH LOSERS! LET DELANEY, COLBACK ETC FIGHT BACK IN THE TEAM WITH A BIT OF PASSION NOT JUST TURN UP AND STROLL ABOUT! 21 YEAR OLD MEN WHO PLAY 90 MINUTES EVERY NOW AND AGAIN DON'T NEED A REST YOU MADMAN!

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im_marcacus added 19:08 - Dec 3 Murphy's kicking is dodgy with a capital D. I tense up whenever the balls played back to him, and his distribution from goal kicks is hit-or-miss at best. Good shot stopper though. Jaime Peters has to start Saturday, MOM on Weds and even playing CM against Millwall he was tops. Our full backs overlapping was excellent on wednesday, really causing WBA problems, Townsend should be one of the first names on the team sheet too, a player who can actually run with the ball and scare the opposition into mistakes, I can't believe how under-rated he seems to be. I said before the Norwich match that playing two left sided CB's would be disastrous and was unfortunately proved right. It's GOT to be round pegs etc, Delaney's hardly our best player, so leave him on the bench. Common sense please Keano. Please.

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Keaneish added 19:51 - Dec 3 Have to disagree i'm afraid. I thought Murphy was poor the other night with the exception of one save. His command of the back 4 is poor, he doesn't look confident on crosses and his distribution is terrible. Give me Fulop any day.
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I_8_NARWICH added 20:45 - Dec 3 I personally thought that he was a good enough number 1 keeper as it was. At the start of the season i thought Fulop was better but recently he seems to have lost confidence from somewhere and gets caught in no mans land way to many times and i think his defence infront of him have saved him on occasions.
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corshamblue added 20:48 - Dec 3 I'd bring in Zooberlooney on the RM in front of Jamie, or the other way around. Edwards drop to the Bench and Townsend to start on Left. Sorry Jack. Decent Bench should = Decent Team Fingers Crossed. COYB 3-1 Town (even against a good swans team)
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runaround added 21:28 - Dec 3 Edwards or Zuiverloon in for Lambe should be the only change. If he goes back to playing the likes of Delaney and Colback out of position, then we will pretty certainly lose and the knives will be out for Keane again and deservedly so. I may only be a fan who knows nothing but surely you play the best available player for each position each game, McAuley is our best right-sided centrehalf but is injured, Brown is our second best so he should play there, not put Delaney there who is very leftsided and looks uncomfortable, yes Delaney is more experienced but its better to have an inexperienced player in their best position instead of an experienced one in the wrong position. I think if we stick with the same formation as Wednesday and play the same passing and attacking style, the fans will be pleased and back the team whether we win draw or lose

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Ipswich24 added 08:39 - Dec 4 DO NOT CHANGE IT KEANE! what message does that send out to players that have come in and done well for me just one change Zuiverloon in for Lambe so team is Murphy Zuiverloon Brown Smith O'connor Peters Leadbitter Norris Townsend Priskin Scotland Bench Fulop Livermore Edwards Civeli Delaney Colback Fallon Anyone agree?
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oldtimer added 08:40 - Dec 4 And what will that joke D'Urso do for us today I wonder
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bobble added 08:57 - Dec 4 why did we buy flop if murphy is better >? does the management have any clue what they are doing ? they are taking us down the slise has started again .its time for a change keane out
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muhrensleftfoot added 09:46 - Dec 4 Changes from Wednesday night - Zuiverloon in for Peters (unlucky for Peters who did well, but is not really a right back) Edwards to start in place of Lambe & O'Connor for O'Dea. Keep Brown in, as prefer not to have two left footed central defenders. Good cover then on the bench with Colback, Peters, Livermore,Delaney, O'Dea, Murray, Civelli. Forget Fallon, he's a donkey.

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pokemonfoottball added 10:50 - Dec 4 the only change needed from wednesday is lambe out edwards in.
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