DRISSA Diallo has been added to the Blues squad that travels up to their Leeds base today, writes Derek Davis.The fit-again Guinea international has impressed in reserve team games for Ipswich against Chelsea and Charlton since returning from a hamstring tear, and his availability could prove crucial in Town final push for promotion.

DRISSA Diallo has been added to the Blues squad that travels up to their Leeds base today, writes Derek Davis.

The fit-again Guinea international has impressed in reserve team games for Ipswich against Chelsea and Charlton since returning from a hamstring tear, and his availability could prove crucial in Town final push for promotion.

Diallo has not played in the senior side since picking up the injury last December.

The former Burnley defender can play as a full-back or as a centre-half and could replace David Unsworth, who goes back to Portsmouth after the Brighton game on May 8.

Diallo may be eased back into the first team during the next three games in preparation for Unsworth's departure.

Blues boss Joe Royle, who has been named as the Everton 'Giant' for 2004, is delighted to have the versatile defender back.

He said: “Drissa has got better week by week. He has been physically fit for a while but needed to get over the hamstring, which seemed to open every time he really rested it. He seems over that now and ready to put pressure on for a place again.”

Royle picked up the Toffeemen's accolade at half- time during their 1-0 win over Manchester United. The former Everton captain still holds the record as their youngest debutant and he won a league medal as a player at Goodison Park, before being transferred to Manchester City when he was 25.

Kelvin Davis is still sweating on the arrival of a new addition to the family but continues his preparations to play against Leeds. He will travel up with the squad as planned and only return if wife Kelly goes into labour.

Kelly is due to give birth to their second child on Saturday and Davis will dash back by car as soon as any news reaches him.

Ipswich Town squad: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Unsworth, Richards, Diallo, Naylor, De Vos, Horlock, Magilton, Miller, Westlake, Currie, Counago, Bent, Kuqi and Scowcroft.