COLIN Healy today confirmed that he is ready and able to fit into David Norris’ boots if the Ipswich Town skipper is a long-term injury absentee.

Norris limped off early during Saturday’s 1-1 Championship draw at Barnsley and barring a miracle cure will miss tomorrow night’s re-arranged league match at Doncaster Rovers.

He has undergone a scan and the results will determine how long his damaged ankle and knee ligaments will keep him out for.

Healy did well in midfield when recalled by new manager Paul Jewell to the team before being replaced by January loanee arrival Jimmy Bullard.

“I had a run of games last month and enjoyed it,” said Healy, who has been a peripheral figure for most of the 18 months he has been on Ipswich’s books.

He earned good reports following his return to the senior side including two good shows against Premier League Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi-final legs.

“Jimmy has come in and done well and we’ll have to wait and see what happens with David.

“But if I’m needed to play a run of games I’m up for it and will relish the challenge.“

The softly spoken Irishman sees Jacob Mellis’ last minute Saturday leveller as an irritant the club could have done without but not something that will have an effect on a march up the table.

He went on: “We all thought we had the points in the bag and it’s a shame we could not hold out for another 30 seconds.

“But we came home with a point and on top of the nine we collected from our previous three games we have to be happy with that.

“Things are going well and we’ll go into tomorrow’s game with spirits high.

“the new manager has given some of the lads, including me, a new chance and we all know that if you can string a few results together you can soon move significantly up the table.

“There is new confidence among the players and despite the last body blow we showed that on Saturday with everybody putting in a good shift.

“We defended well and no fingers are being pointed about the late Barnsley goal.”

Town picked up no further injury problems before the trip to Doncaster with Andy Drury set to make his bench debut following his January signing from Luton Town.