Town are hopeful Tommy Miller and Dean Bowditch will be fit to face Brighton at Portman Road on Saturday. Miller injured his elbow in the win against Leeds and Bowditch picked up an ankle problem in the defeat to Sunderland last Sunday.

Miller is finding his elbow less painful as each day passes and, although it won't be fully healed for up to a month, he is confident he will be up to facing the Seagulls. If fit, Miller is likely to retake his place in midfield as the Blues switch back to 4-4-2.

Bowditch, who replaced Miller at the Stadium of Light, is expected to drop out even if, as expected, he is over his ankle problem.

The Blues are without second choice keeper Lewis Price who is on a month's loan at Cambridge United.

Town boss Joe Royle is keen for his side to get back into winning ways after the defeat against the Black Cats: "When one run ends, hopefully another one starts. We have lost three of our 20 league games this season and that hardly represents a crisis.

"There will always by people who see the negative side and want to put the boot in, but we just need to get back to our home form this weekend.

"The players have not just been looking good in training, they are flying again. They are all upset and angry at what happened against Sunderland and keen to make up for it at the earliest opportunity."

Brighton have a number of slight injury concerns but all are expected to be OK for the trip to Portman Road. Cypriot Alexis Nicolas has declared himself fit despite an ankle knock, while Steve Claridge (groin), Michel Kuipers (leg), Paul Reid (foot) and Leon Knight (illness) have minor problems which aren't likely to keep them out of action.

Defender-turned-striker Adam Virgo is unavailable as he continues to serve a suspension after receiving a red card in Albion's surprise 1-0 win at West Ham a fortnight ago.

Saturday's referee is Trevor Kettle from Berkshire who has shown 38 yellow cards and three red in 15 games this season. Kettle previously whistled during Town's 1-1 draw at Coventry in January.

Squad: Bent, Bowditch, Collins, Couñago, Davis, De Vos, Diallo, Horlock, Knights, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Richards, Supple, Westlake and Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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