JIM Magilton will be without three players for Ipswich Town's trip to Coventry City on Saturday.

Derek Davis

JIM Magilton will be without three players for Ipswich Town's trip to Coventry City on Saturday.

Ben Thatcher will serve a one-match ban after being dismissed for two bookable offences in the 2-1 defeat by Cardiff City. Midfielder Owen Garvan has reached five bookings after picking up a card in the same loss, while Alex Bruce will be serving the second of his four match ban.

Thatcher was dismissed for the fifth time in his 12-year career after two yellow cards, both for fouling Wayne Routledge, but tried to protest his innocence claiming the first booking by referee Andy Woolmer was not justified.

The former Millwall, Wimbledon, Spurs, Manchester City and Charlton, defender said: “I got something on the ball for the first booking and felt it was a bit harsh.

“The second one, we lost possession and their player has come inside and I have caught him.

“I could not have any complaints over that one and, having already been booked, the referee had no option.”

Scotland prospect David Wright missed the game with a chest infection allowing Thatcher the chance to reclaim the left back spot.

Substitute Pim Balkestein was also booked for a foul on City winger Routledge following Thatcher and fellow substitute Garvan into the book.

Manager Jim Magilton had little sympathy for his 33-year-old left back.

He said: “With the first booking he got a bit of ball but the second was a silly booking.”

But he was frustrated at his side's poor defending that allowed city to build their unassailable lead.

“Magilton said: “We started brightly and Darren Ambrose had a couple of good opportunities and Cardiff put their bodies on the line to deny us.

“They weathered the early storm and came back at us. In all honesty they didn't have to work hard for their goals.

“We got punished for two costly errors and you just can't give anybody chances like that.

“We forced our way back in the game with Ben Thatcher showing a real desire to get the ball back and we showed quality for the goal.

“At half time it was a case of Wednesday night when we beat Bristol City but instead we petered out and didn't show the same intensity and that was extremely disappointing.

“The sending off made it even more difficult although we gave it a go.

“We went 4-3-2 to try and be positive and try to exploit Danny Haynes pace but they saw the game out.”