Nabil Abidallah has received a boost by being told he'll be joining first team training sessions from next week. He has impressed Joe Royle while training for the reserves and would like to take a closer look at him.

Joe wasn't concerned about his physique. "If they are good enough they are big enough," he said. "We have a lot of good young players and it would be nice if some of them went on like Darren Ambrose and won international honours."

Finidi George on the other hand may not be pleased to hear that Royle considers him a bench player for Ipswich.

"Finidi has a great talent but he is at his best for us, and the coaching staff agree with me, when he comes on as a substitute. He has looked sharp as he did on Saturday at Sheffield and there is nothing wrong with that role."

Finidi clearly feels down about the current situation. "I'm not used to being on the bench, it is a strange new experience for me. But every player has downs as well as ups. We have a new manager now and it takes time to make the team strong but I will work hard for him.

"I don't know at the moment what plans the manager has for me so I don't know about my own future. All I can do is work hard and try and get in the team."

Photo: Action Images

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