IPSWICH Town skipper David Norris is one tackle away from missing out on one of the biggest games of his career.

The 29-year-old all-action midfielder faces Doncaster Rovers in a Championship fixture at Portman Road today (kick-off 3pm) one booking away from a two-match suspension.

If he was to transgress and collect his tenth yellow card of the season he would have to sit out Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final, second leg against Arsenal at the emirates.

While Norris knows the importance of giving his all because of Town’s desperate need for points after dropping down to 20th position it would be big loss for player and the Blues if he fell foul of the referee.

Norris has been the subject of a rather laughable �250,000 bid from Portsmouth and with this understood to have been turned down flatly the man that cost �2million has confirmed that he wants to stay at Portman Road.

His contract runs out on June 30 and like 20 other players in manager Paul Jewell’s squad he can leave for nothing in the summer if he is not is not sold before Monday week.

This is unless he signs a new contract sometime in the meantime with the ball currently in the club’s court after a deal offered last month was turned down.

Pompey chief executive David Lampitt refused to identify his club’s targets but said: “A central midfielder would probably fit into our team quite nicely.

“We’ve made offers for more than one player and those discussions are ongoing but we haven’t had an offer accepted.

‘We’re trying to get bargains where we can. If you’re trying to get a bargain, you tend to get it towards the back end of the transfer window, rather than the front. Clubs will hold out to try for a better price.’

Ipswich are favourites to sign full back Pascal Chimbonda, who has had his contract terminated by Blackburn Rovers.

The 31-year-old could be an answer to Town’s right back problem with new Ipswich manager Paul Jewell having got the best out of him when they were both at Wigan Athletic.

With the Guadeloupe-born player now a free agent there would be no fee involved, but there could well be a sticking point over personal terms with the defender having been on Premier League wages since he arrived in this country in 2005.

After Tuesday’s match, the Blues do not have another game in January as they are not involved in next Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round and when they visit Derby County on Tuesday February 1 they could well have a couple or so newcomers in their side including Chimbonda.

Jaime Peters is in the Canadian squad for a friendly in Greece on February 9 while Jack Colback is being sought by Preston after ending his Town loan and returning to Sunderland.