IPSWICH Town leading scorer Alan Lee today gave Blues' promotion hopes a boost by declaring; “I should be fit for our next game at Cardiff City.”The eight-goal former Republic of Ireland international came off 31 minutes of Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Bristol City with an Achilles problem.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town leading scorer Alan Lee today gave Blues' promotion hopes a boost by declaring; “I should be fit for our next game at Cardiff City.”

The eight-goal former Republic of Ireland international came off 31 minutes of Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Bristol City with an Achilles problem.

But the 29-year-old said: “I don't believe it is serious, and I am confident of playing again very soon.

“I felt it go and it was best to come off as soon as possible.”

Lee was having a scan today as a precautionary measure, but fears that he might be a long-term injury casualty are set to prove unfounded.

Town physio Matt Byard said: “Alan will be in our thinking for the Cardiff game, and we are hopeful he will make a quick recovery.”

Lee had a history of injury problems at his previous club Cardiff and he was hindered by hamstring problems last season.

But he should be fit to take his place when sixth-placed Town look to pick up their first away Coca-Cola Championship win of the season at Cardiff on Saturday week.

Owen Garvan has been forced to pull out of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad travelling to Montenegro for Friday's European Championships qualifier.

The 19-year-old suffered a calf strain in Saturday's 6-0 thrashing of Bristol City.

Garvan is staying at Portman Road, but has not been ruled out of the game with Bulgaria in Athlone next Tuesday.

Byard said: “With Owen's injury you are normally looking at seven to ten days as a recovery period, but we will monitor his progress and liaise with the Ireland medical team.”

Garvan must be a doubt for the Cardiff game, and he will be having intensive treatment.

When Town visit Ninian Park current manager David Jones could have departed after a run of poor results, while George Burley at Southampton and Paul Simpson at Preston are two other managers who are set to be on their way this week.

Town have been linked with West Brom midfielder Richard Chaplow.

The 22-year-old joined the Baggies from Burnley for £1.5 million in January 2005, but has made only 37 starts and 20 appearances from the bench since his switch, scoring three goals.

Former Town boss Joe Royle has dropped out of the running for the Leicester City job and is now being linked with the vacant