Top scorer Pablo Couñago looks all but certain to make his first start for the Blues since his hamstring injury when Crystal Palace visit Portman Road on Sunday. The Spaniard came off the bench to score two late goals as Town defeated West Ham 2-1 on Boxing Day.

Manager Joe Royle will have a difficult decision to make regarding who to leave out. Darren Bent scored four goals during Couñago's absence and the Blues could switch to a three-man strike force against Iain Dowie's men.

Alternatively Bent could move into a wide midfield role, as he has on a number of occasions in the past, Tommy Miller possibly dropping back to the bench.

Town appeared to pick up no new injuries from the win at Upton Park, although John McGreal was replaced late on feeling the effects of a cold from earlier in the week. It is likely that the former Tranmere man will keep his place in central defence alongside Richard Naylor.

The Blues' only injuries remain Chris Makin (recovering from thigh surgery), Drissa Diallo (A month away after a knee operation) and Lewis Price (finger ligament injury, February return expected).

Palace considered themselves very unlucky to lose 1-0 to Millwall on Boxing Day, Andy Johnson missed a penalty and they hit the woodwork three times.

New manager Iain Dowie was taking charge of the Eagles for the first time and despite the defeat he was impressed with his charges: "As long as the side rolls its sleeves up like today I'll be happy."

Palace, who impressively beat Reading 3-0 away in their previous game, have no new injury problems and will probably field an unchanged side.

Likely Town squad: Davis, Abbey, Wilnis, Richards, Naylor, McGreal, Santos, Magilton, Bart-Williams, Wright, Miller, Westlake, Reuser, Couñago, Kuqi, Bent.

Photo: Action Images

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