IPSWICH TOWN: Blues manager Roy Keane knows he must get the balance right when he selects his team for tomorrow’s npower Championship fixture at Carrow Road (kick-off 1.15pm) against Norwich City.

He wants more punch and sees new loan signings Rory Fallon and Gianni Zuiverloon helping to provide this.

Defeat would do nothing to improve a loss in confidence in the manager that is growing among Town supporters.

So Keane knows that he needs to get it right.

He said: “Our balance was not right at Hull last Saturday – we were solid enough but we need more going forward so that our back four can have a breather.

“We need to be more of a goal threat and I will try and create that as we need to do better.

“I have always enjoyed derby games and this should be no different, and it’s the type of pressure that we should enjoy.”

Keane was planning to unleash 17-year-old Connor Wickham at Norwich, but the striker suffered a thigh injury playing against Tottenham reserves on Wednesday and will be out for a fortnight.

There is also a doubt about Darren O’Dea whose partner is about to give birth with the Celtic loanee spending the last few days in Glasgow.

Town have been hit by the decision to operate on defensive kingpin Gareth McAuley following a second scan on his Achilles tendinitis problem. McAuley had the operation on Tuesday and is expected to be out for two months.

“This is a massive blow,” said Keane. “I was planning to throw Connor in as Sunday is a game when you need someone to produce something

“Thankfully David Norris came through his return last week okay, but we must wait on Darren. I missed the birth of my first daughter in 1994 when I was at the World Cup in the USA and she doesn’t hold it against me!

“But I will understand if Darren is missing.”

Keane had praise for his opposite number Paul Lambert. “Norwich have had a good season and we will need to be at our best.

“Paul is a good manager, and we should not kid ourselves – Norwich were never a League One side.

“It is no surprise to anybody that they have done well this season and like Leicester last season have carried on the momentum after promotion.

“We have watched them and they like to have a go and go forward and score goals. I’m sure they’ll have the same intent on Sunday.

“They fact that Paul will not be in the dug-out will make no difference. There’re are walkie-talkies and things and he will get his message across.”

Norwich will be missing left-backs Adam Drury (calf) and Steven Smith (hip), centre-back Zak Whitbread (calf) and midfielders Stephen Hughes (ankle) and Matthew Gill (calf).

Midfielder Korey Smith missed the Leeds draw last week and faces a fitness test on an ankle injury with new loan signing from Arsenal Henri Lansbury set to take his place.

Midfielder Andrew Surman played an hour against Leeds in his first game since August and centre-half Michael Nelson was back on the bench after being out for three months with an ankle problem.

Midfielder Simon Lappin has played the last three games at left-back.