Middlesbrough v Ipswich: Blues skipper Carlos Edwards is expected to return to the Town team for Saturday’s visit to Middlesbrough.

Edwards was ruled out of Ipswich’s last match against Huddersfield with a groin injury.

But the veteran defender has benefited from the international break and he should return in place for Jack Ainsley.

Following his World Cup qualifying double-header with New Zealand, Tommy Smith is due back at Town’s training ground this lunch-time and will train with the first-team tomorrow morning before they leave for Teesside.

Manager Paul Jewell said: “It is not an ideal situation but Tommy has done this before (last season) so he is used to it.”

The Blues boss also confirmed that new loan signing Guirane N’Daw, an unused substitute against the Terriers, was in contention after impressing in training over the last fortnight.