Central defender Ibrahima Sonko is in line to return for the Blues when bogey side Watford visit Portman Road on Saturday. The Senegalese international has trained for a week after recovering from his recent hamstring injury and was on the bench at Burnley on Tuesday.

Manager Paul Jewell says the 30-year-old could be back against the Hornets, who Town have failed to beat in their last 13 meetings: “He hasn’t done a lot of training as everyone knows. Since he had his latest hamstring injury at Millwall he’s had a good week’s training under his belt and he will come into contention.

“The goals we’re conceding are a major concern for us. You obviously aren’t going to win matches conceding three goals and we’ve conceded threes, fours, fives and sevens this season.

“It’s been a major concern for us but I felt when Danny Collins and Sonks were playing well we were getting results and he’s been missed.”

The Blues boss revealed that his decision to substitute Daryl Murphy just before the break at Turf Moor wasn’t due to injury: “That was tactical. He had a bit of a tight hamstring because he hadn’t played for a while and he played on the Saturday. It was a bit tight but that was tactical. He will be in contention on Saturday.”

He confirmed that skipper Grant Leadbitter will again be unavailable: “He’s got a little tear in his groin and will miss out, as will Richard Wright, who pulled pec muscle in training on Monday, so he’ll be out for a week to 10 days.

“I don’t know how long Grant will be out. I spoke to him earlier and he was a bit sore yesterday but it’s a little bit easier today.

“I don’t really like putting time-frames on things because sometimes players recover quicker and sometimes they take longer. It’s a day by day thing but he won’t be fit for Saturday."

David Stockdale could return after missing the last two matches with a shoulder problem: “He did a light session this morning with the goalkeeping coach and he’s going to do a little bit more this afternoon.”

If the on-loan Fulham man doesn’t make it, Arran Lee-Barrett will continue in goal, having impressed at Burnley despite conceding four goals: “I thought he made some good saves. He was exposed quite a bit on Tuesday night and he did OK. He was one of the very few to come out with any credit on Tuesday night.”

Damien Delaney remains on the sidelines having recently undergone surgery on a stressed fracture to his foot.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

CornardBlue added 17:26 - Dec 1 Hope Sonko is fit for Saturday, the lad deserves a change of luck. We also need Murphy up front at least he won some balls in the air last week. Apart from all the other postions that need strengthening we need a big strong centre forward who will put himself about a bit and frighten defenders, hate to say it but that is the way the scum got promotion with there fat lump up front. As a team we are far to soft and other teams know this, our last 3 defeats i don't think we have had one booking we need to toughen up and start putting the boot in a bit like teams do to us.

0

CharlieITFC added 17:31 - Dec 1 bluedart, completely agree, i posted a team another article, with bowyer, andrews and bullard in the middle, and kennedy as the extra CB? any thoughts?
0

TractorBeezer added 17:42 - Dec 1 Let's hope that you are fit Sonks...we have really missed you.
0

Bergholtblue added 18:48 - Dec 1 Daryl Murphy ... "He had a bit of a tight hamstring because he hadn't played for a while and he played on the Saturday." Perhaps if we hadn't pulled out of the reserve league he could have played a few more matches and be ready to step up when called upon. There has been some strange decisions at this club.
0

bluelady added 18:56 - Dec 1 Taking daryl off tactical......hmmmmm that worked then!!!
0

bluelady added 18:57 - Dec 1 Taking daryl off tactical......hmmmmm that worked then!!!
0

Cardy1978 added 19:02 - Dec 1 If Sonko is fit great but it will not stop the rot as the defence needs more protection from the lazy f---ers in midfield you no who you are bullard,bowyer,andrews....
0

ITFC4daprem added 19:18 - Dec 1 Stock or Wright( whoever is fit) Edwards--Sonko--Collins--Cressy Hyam (deserves a chance) Carson--Bullard--Lawernson(Need a spark)--Martin(done well in last game) JET(feel he could do well in this position and deserves his chance) Subs other GK Smith Andrews Chopra Whight
0

runaround added 20:29 - Dec 1 ITFC4daprem, Who is Lawernson??
0

TimmyH added 20:56 - Dec 1 Good news Ibrahim!! make the most of the Watford game because you'll be injured for the 4 games after.
0

Gazelle added 23:32 - Dec 1 17 of our 20 points have been scored when Sonko has been in the team, what does that tell you.
0

DiamondGezzer added 08:27 - Dec 2 With the torrid time the team have had with the media this week, surely embarrassement should make them step up and give some kind of performance tomorrow. I hate to hear them slated week after week and I'm sure they do, time for them to return to the kind of performance they showed at the likes of West Ham, performances we, and they know they are capable of.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls