IPSWICH Town were given a boost when key midfielder Gavin Williams successfully came though his first game since early August.The 27-year-old former Welsh international ruptured ankle ligaments playing against Panathinaikos in a pre-season friendly at Portman Road on August 5.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town were given a boost when key midfielder Gavin Williams successfully came though his first game since early August.

The 27-year-old former Welsh international ruptured ankle ligaments playing against Panathinaikos in a pre-season friendly at Portman Road on August 5.

He played for 70 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham yesterday in a match played behind closed doors in London.

Blues physio Matt Byard said: “Gavin came through with no problems.

“He will carry on training through the weekend when the rest of the squad has time off.

“If he suffers no setbacks, Gavin will be in contention for a place in the squad for the game at Cardiff City on Saturday week.”

Teenage striker Jordan Rhodes netted the Ipswich goal, and he is set to go on loan to a Football League club after returning from a successful spell at Blue Square Premier Oxford United.

Terry Butcher's Brentford have been mentioned as a likely next destination for the prolific scorer.

Leading scorer Alan Lee should be fit for the Cardiff game after a scan yesterday revealed no underlying problems with the Achilles he damaged in the 6-0 thrashing of Bristol City on Saturday.

The eight-goal former Republic of Ireland international came off after 31 minutes but, with treatment and rest, he should recuperate in time for the trip to Ninian Park when Ipswich will be looking for their first away win of the season.

Alex Bruce has been called into the senior Republic of Ireland squad for their Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Ipswich Town defender was originally in the B squad for a game against Scotland next Tuesday.

And goalkeeper Shane Supple has flown to Ireland after getting a late call to join the Republic Under-21 squad for their European Championship games in Montenegro on Friday and at home to Bulgaria next Tuesday.

Town midfielder Owen Garvan has been forced to pull out of Friday's game with a calf strain but is still hoping to be included in the squad for the Bulgaria match.

Garvan must be a doubt for the Cardiff game, and he will be having intensive treatment, while Billy Clarke is in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for Tuesday's match.