Town centre-half Wayne Brown may have to undergo a minor operation to rid him of his persistent hip/groin injury. The left-sided player has had a problem all season and even took a holiday to get some rest. This has not done the trick and he's off to see a specialist to have a scan in a fortnight. He had an injection last week to help settle the problem.

So far this season Brown has only made one first-team appearance, as sub in the 3-1 loss at Spurs. He finds himself well back in the pecking order and has interested both Wimbledon and Stockport this year.

Mike Salmon's finger injury is not as bad as originally thought. The keeper hurt himself in Tuesday's reserve game at Spurs and had an x-ray yesterday. His finger has strapping on it, but he may be able to take to the bench on Monday at Coventry.

Meanwhile Keith Branagan is almost fully recovered from his knee problem and is likely to play in Wednesday's reserve game at home to Coventry (KO 7pm).

As for the rest of the injuries, Fabian Wilnis and Jim Magilton both trained yesterday and seem certain to be in the side for Monday. Richard Naylor missed training with a sore knee, however the extra two days before the game should see him right for at least a start on the bench. None of the players on international duty returned with a problem.

It seems Town are to eschew the chance to wear a burgundy strip for Monday's game with Coventry. Reports earlier in the week suggested that both Town's strips were considered to clash with Coventry's outfit and so a third strip would, permission given, have been needed. Sense however has triumphed and Town will line up in an all blue look as worn at Leeds earlier in the season.

The Academy sides are both in action this weekend. The U19s will meet Coventry (this is clear Ipswich v Coventry week at all levels) this afternoon in the midlands (2pm KO) with the squad containing three trialists. The two Swedes currently at the club, Andreus Karlsson and Mirca Jelecak, are joined by Spurs' Neil Lacy.

The high-flying U17s, currently top of their Academy Group, are to play Charlton Athletic tomorrow morning (11am) at Bent Lane.

It seems our mail system is finally back, although you may find your Inbox receiving out of date mails from earlier in the week. Apologies for the downtime, the first since we can't remember when. If you think there is a problem with the mail again check the website to see if there is a known problem (the news scroller on the message board should say something) otherwise mail us.

Photo: Action Images

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