Town are hopeful keeper Lewis Price will be fit to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after injuring his left knee in last week's 0-0 draw with Leicester City. However, the Blues are definitely without striker Nicky Forster and central defender Jason De Vos.

Price has improved throughout the week and boss Joe Royle says the 21-year-old should be OK to resume his place between the sticks: "We are hoping Lewis will be back training today [Thursday] but if not it will be tomorrow.

"If he doesn't make it, we won't have any worries about putting Shane Supple in. We have great confidence in both our keepers."

If Price misses out the Blues will not be naming goalkeeper-coach Andy Rhodes on the bench and will go into the game without a recognised sub keeper. Fabian Wilnis, who was a keeper as a youngster, would take over should lightning strike twice and Supple was forced off.

Nicky Forster is expected to have his cartilage operation today and is likely to be out of action for between four and six weeks. The former Reading striker's absence gives Dean Bowditch a chance to establish himself as first choice up front with Sam Parkin.

Royle says he has been pleased with the England U19 international's goalscoring in pre-season and for the reserves: "Dean will start on Saturday. He has looked sharp and deserves his chance.

"He was among the goals in pre-season, got two for the reserves on Monday night and we know what he can do.

"He has the ability, the pace and is a good finisher, but now it's time for him to take that step up and show consistency at first team level."

Forster's absence could well mean Dean McDonald makes his senior debut as a sub, with the former Arsenal trainee is likely to be pencilled in for a start against Yeovil in the home Carling Cup tie on Tuesday.

De Vos is still out of action after cracking ribs in the Cardiff game but could be back in contention for the trip to Millwall in a week's time. Fabian Wilnis will continue to deputise at centre-half alongside Richard Naylor with Sito at right-back and Matt Richards on the left.

Central defender Aidan Collins has been drafted into the squad as defensive cover after coming through Monday's reserve game with Portsmouth. Collins, whose only taste of first team action came more than two years ago on the final day of the 2002/03 season at Derby, picked up a leg injury in the reserves pre-season friendly at Canvey Island. The 18-year-old is another fringe player who may be involved against Yeovil on Tuesday.

In midfield, boss Joe Royle will have to decide whether to give skipper Jim Magilton his fourth start in 15 days, the veteran Northern Irishman having played all but a minute of Town's games so far. If Royle decides to rest the 36-year-old, youngster Owen Garvan could be recalled to the starting line-up.

Kevin Horlock has added stability to the midfield since being introduced at half-time in the defeat at QPR and is likely to keep his place in the holding role, while Ian Westlake and Darren Currie are also probable starters. Canadian youngster Jaime Peters has looked better when coming off the bench than he did when handed a start at Leicester last week.

Wednesday have started their first season back in the Championship by picking up even more injuries than the Blues. Leon Best (broken foot), Lee Bullen (achilles), Steve MacLean (broken leg), Jon-Paul McGovern (back) and Drew Talbot (back) are all on the sidelines, while Barry Corr may be back after a thigh strain and ex-Canary Paul Heckingbottom could return after a hamstring problem.

Former Blue Drissa Diallo is yet to make his first start for the Owls, although he impressed boss Paul Sturrock in the reserves earlier in the week and may make his debut back at Portman Road: "The two centre backs - Drissa Diallo and Graham Coughlan - did very well, Steve Adams had his first game for a while and did OK. Richie Partridge needed the game. As the game went on, Burton O'Brien did a lot, lot better."

Adams, O'Brien, Partridge and Coughlan could also all play against Town, while recent signing from Wigan David Graham will play up front with either Lee Peacock or Adam Proudlock, the former Wolves player having had an ingrowing toenail removed.

Saturday's referee is Grant Hegley from Hertfordshire who showed 65 yellow and one red card in 35 games last season. He last took control of the Blues when they defeated Derby County 3-2 at Portman Road in April.

Squad: Bowditch, Collins, Currie, Garvan, Horlock, Juan, Magilton, McDonald, Naylor, Parkin, Peters, Price, Richards, Sito, Supple, Westlake and Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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