IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton faces the prospect of a touchline ban when the club reaches the climax of this season.

Elvin King

IPSWICH town manager Jim Magilton faces the prospect of a touchline ban when the club reaches the climax of this season.

The Blues boss has a hearing with the Football Association on Thursday, May 1 after being sent to the stands during the club's 1-0 defeat at Stoke City on February 23.

Magilton has been in trouble with the authorities before and could receive a four match touchline ban, which would mean he would be away from the dugout area for the final home match of the Coca-Cola Championship season against Hull City at Portman Road on May 4 and also a possible three play-off matches including the final at Wembley Stadium.

Magilton said today: “I am not appealing but I'm going to make a personal appearance to have my say.”

Magilton will be highlighting the multi-ball system that he considered was used unfairly at Stoke and it remains to be seen what punishment he receives.

Magilton will be in full charge tomorrow when Town visit Colchester United in a Derby match at Layer Road (kick-off 3pm).

He suggested that there will be few changes from the side that did everything but score last Saturday against QPR.

This could mean a place in the side again for Gavin Williams who had been out in the cold since early January until brought back in to face Rangers.

Williams said today: “It has been a nightmare and very frustrating, and now I want to get back to playing regularly.

“I am more than willing to sign an extension to my contract that currently ends in the summer of next year but the early discussions between the club and my agent did not go too well.

“I felt I was getting back to my best and we had a good home win against West Brom just before I was left out of the team.”

Magilton praised the former Welsh international midfielder when he said: “There is no reason as I understand it that Gavin wants to leave Portman Road, and there is no reason why I do not want to keep him.

“On his day and when fully fit and flying he is one of the best players in his position at this level.

“But we have not seen enough and it is a travesty that he has played so few games.”

Magilton confirmed that both David Norris and Shefki Kuqi are progressing well from their heel and hamstring problems respectively and they will be assessed later today with a view to whether they will be risked tomorrow.

Tommy Miller has returned to training after a groin problem and Dean Bowditch has overcome a slight groin strain and should be okay for consideration.

And Jonathan Walters is making rapid strides after his cartilage operation but no new dates have been targeted after the original comeback game was given as Hull City on May 4.