GEORGE O'Callaghan is hoping the skills mixed with the qualities of the fighting Irish will be enough to earn his full debut at home against Leicester City on Saturday.

By Derek Davis

GEORGE O'Callaghan is hoping the skills mixed with the qualities of the fighting Irish will be enough to earn his full debut at home against Leicester City on Saturday.

The former Cork City and Port Vale midfielder has enjoyed three cameo roles for Town so far and even though he could not inspire a Town comeback to deny Crystal Palace their eighth unbeaten game in a row, O'Callaghan did help fire up the Blues.

With Gary Roberts and Alan Lee suspended for the weekend game and Owen Garvan and Gavin Williams big injury doubts, O'Callaghan is in line to showcase his undoubted talent from the start against the Foxes, who could have Jim Magilton's best mate Iain Dowie in charge by Saturday.

O'Callaghan said: “That is up to Jim to say if I play but I'm fit, ready and raring to go.

“I'm feeling strong and can do a job for the team so hopefully the gaffer will see that in me and I can play my part.

“I would love the chance and will be ready to take it. It would be lovely to make my full debut at Portman Road.”

The 27-year-old was involved in a scuffle with Tom Soares, moments before the Palace midfielder was dismissed for a wild lunge on Dan Harding

O'Callaghan said: “When I came on I felt we needed to mix it up a bit and fire us up a bit. It got a bit overheated, a bit of nothing, but then their lad's lost his head and got sent off. We should have taken advantage.”

n The Blues reserve game at Southend United has been brought forward to today with a 2pm kick off.