Town manager Joe Royle is refusing to rule defender Jason De Vos out of Saturday's home game with Cardiff City. De Vos is out of tonight's Canada World Cup qualifier against Guatemala due to a hairline fracture of a fibula.

De Vos is flying back to the UK overnight and Royle told the club site that his condition will be assessed on his return: "Jason is back with us on Thursday and our medical people will look at him then but he has certainly not been ruled out for the weekend."

Physio Davis Williams explained De Vos's injury further: "We will know more when we see the results of the scans on Thursday night but it could even be that it's just heavy bruising.

"Even if it's a hairline fracture, it's possible that he could still play on Saturday. It depends on where the fracture is but if it's where we think it is, then he has a decent chance for the Cardiff match.

"He has played on the injury for three games and has come through OK. It could well be down to Jason. If he is comfortable on it, then he may well play.

"The bone concerned is the fibula, not the tibia. If it was the tibia, which is a much larger bone, than it would be a different story altogether.

"The likelihood is that if it's a fracture it will heal itself but we will know more after the scans."

More positive news is that skipper Jim Magilton will be back in full training on Thursday and Friday and hopes to be involved against Cardiff.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls