OWEN Garvan will make his first competitive appearance for nearly seven months today when Ipswich Town entertain Norwich City in a reserve league fixture.
By Derek Davis
OWEN Garvan will make his first competitive appearance for nearly seven months today when Ipswich Town entertain Norwich City in a reserve league fixture.
The 19-year-old Irishman has been fighting his way back to full fitness after suffering a viral infection following a bout of shingles in August and missing the latter part of last season with a knee injury. Garvan played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors match last week but today will be his first meaningful game, although it is not expected that he will play the whole match.
His return would be welcome timing, with Mark Noble ending his loan spell after Saturday's game with Sheffield Wednesday and returning to West Ham.
Darren Currie, Danny Haynes, Jaime Peters, and Sito Castro could also get a game to keep up their match fitness, while Darryl Knights, who has scored two goals in his past three competitive reserve matches, looks to impress the watching scouts.
Jordan Rhodes, who scored the winner in the practice match against Colchester last week, is also pushing for a starting role.
Town fans will get their first glimpse of Czech Under-21 keeper Jaroslav Drobny in the game that kicks off at 2pm at the Playford Road training ground.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here