Town manager Joe Royle says that Hermann Hreidarsson will be out for at least three weeks after picking up an injury just above his knee in the 0-0 draw with Stoke City.

The Town manager said of the Icelander: "Hermann has a wide gash just above his knee that has gone through the skin and muscle.

"The doctor says it will take a minimum of three weeks to heal. After that we've got to hope that there is no muscular damage.

"We had our chances, came up against an inspired goalkeeper in Mark Crossley, and should have had a penalty.

"Crossley lost the ball and then grabbed at Hreidarsson pulling him back. I am not making an issue of it. The referee made one mistake in 90 minutes."

"Stoke came here for a point. They blocked the area up and fair play to them. There were so many big bodies that we needed a break and it didn't happen.

"We've just got to keep going and win two more matches than Wolves if we are to claim a play-off place."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased with his side's endeavours: "For the first time since I've been with the club we changed the system. We played three at the back after only a couple of days to work on it.

"We threw heads in, got bodies in the way, and that's what we will need if we are going to stay up.

"Everyone played a part in a very good defensive team performance and Mark Crossley brought off some terrific saves.

"With a bit more quality we might have caused Ipswich more problems.

"It's going to fluctuate at the bottom of the table, but I am planning to bring in one or two new players just to give us a chance.

"It will be difficult to stay up and our problem has been that we have been inconsistent."

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