On-loan midfielder Alan Mahon will remain at Portman Road throughout his expected six week spell on the sidelines. If the injury is a hamstring tear as initially diagnosed, there'll be only a couple of weeks of his loan left when he returns.

Town boss Joe Royle says the Irishman will have a scan to check that the problem is as serious as first thought: "We have taken him in sickness and in health. He is with us for the full three months so will not go back to Blackburn just yet.

"We will not know the full extent of the injury until he has had a scan on Monday morning but the initial worry is he has torn the hamstring and that means between four to six weeks out.

"It is a blow to us because we will miss him, but we will wait and see."

Royle is keen to take Mahon to Portman Road permanently but the financial problems at Portman Road may mean this can't happen.

Although it has been suggested that Blackburn will allow him to leave on a free this has not yet been confirmed by Graeme Souness' club.

Mahon has another year left on his Ewood Park deal after this season and the Blues would find it hard to match his contract. Currently his wages are split between the two clubs.

A further loan this season is not a possibility for 25-year-old Mahon due to Football League rules not allowing loans of more than 93 days for players over 23 on June 30th 2003.

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