IPSWICH Town fans will be deprived of the chance of seeing new signing Kevin Horlock in action at Oxford tonight because the midfielder has bruised ribs, writes Derek Davis.

IPSWICH Town fans will be deprived of the chance of seeing new signing Kevin Horlock in action at Oxford tonight because the midfielder has bruised ribs, writes Derek Davis.

The former West Ham man with a sweet left foot is also a doubt for the home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but is hoping to make his debut in front of the Portman Road crowd the following Wednesday, against Newcastle United in Dale Roberts' testimonial match.

Town keeper Kelvin Davis is expected to play after suffering a back-strain in Denmark. Super KD, as he is known among the players, trained yesterday afternoon and Blues boss Joe Royle has pencilled him in to start tonight.

Richard Naylor will line up at the back with Pablo Counago starting up front as Royle tinkers with his line-up once again.

He is likely to rest one or two who played on Friday so he can put out his strongest starting XI against Premiership new boys Palace on Saturday, which is a noon kick-off.

As the match fitness steadily improves, the one thing Royle is looking for tonight is goals.

Town have managed just two goals in three games, and one of those was a wicked deflection, although Ian Westlake's finished off a good move for the other.

Royle said: “We are looking for more of a goal threat than we have shown so far.”

With Horlock not fit and Mark Rivers released, Town may go with three up front or use Darren Bent wide on the right to add to the strike power, partnering Counago with either Dean Bowditch or Shefki Kuqi up front.

Skipper Jim Magilton will play a part in the game which will bring back some emotional memories for the former U's skipper.

He said: “Oxford has the fondest of memories for me. I had a great time there and had a great relationship with everyone there. There are still a few familiar faces at Oxford and I'm looking forward to going back and seeing them.

“I still have close contacts there and it is a club whose results I always look out for.

“They really gave me my start in league football. All my first big appearances came there and I thoroughly enjoyed my time.

“Brian Horton looked after me, he made me skipper and I had a fantastic relationship with him. The supporters were unbelievable to me and it will be really nice to go back. Whenever I have been back they have been good to me and I'm looking forward to seeing them again.”

Oxford will be without skipper Lee Bradbury, who tweaked a hamstring in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea, and manager Graham Rix will once again flout the UEFA regulation to make 11 changes at half time as he did in that game and in a friendly against Oxford City last week.

Ipswich Town provisional squad: Davis, Price, Mitchell, Barron, Richards, Wilnis, Diallo, Naylor, De Vos, Santos, Murray, Magilton, Miller, Westlake, Counago, Bent, Kuqi and Bowditch.