Norris suffers another injury setback
BLUES boss Jim Magilton is hoping to be joined by two new players in Belfast this week but will be without midfielder David Norris who has suffered another setback in his bid for full fitness.
Derek Davis
BLUES boss Jim Magilton is hoping to be joined by two new players in Belfast this week but will be without midfielder David Norris who has suffered another setback in his bid for full fitness.
The £2m signing from Plymouth last January played the first 45 minutes in Town's 2-0 win at Brentford on Friday night but felt pain in the bottom of the heel that caused him to miss the latter part of last season.
The 27-year-old hoped surgery had cured the problem and he has been building up his fitness but recurrence of the injury has meant he did not travel with the Blues squad to Belfast last night.
Magilton said: “David's heel is a bit sore so that is a bit of a worry for us.”
Better news for Town is that Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor both travelled and could be involved in the first of the three friendlies scheduled in Ulster when they take on UEFA Cup side Cliftonville tonight at their Solitude home.
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And there could be a couple more new faces later this week, one a permanent signing and the other a trialist, as Town take on Donegal Celtic and Glentoran.
Magilton said: “We may have a couple of players join us during the week. We are at advanced stages with one or two but until they are actually in the door we won't say anything.
“They have not travelled with the main party but could be in for the Thursday and Saturday games.
“They will be senior players but if we can pick up a young player like Pim (Balkestein), who we can develop and educate, then we would take them no shadow of a doubt.”
Honduran international Emilio Izaquirre failed to arrive in England in time to make the trip after a ticket mix up but could join up later in the week to start his 10-day trial.
A 20-man squad travelled but it meant the likes of Matt Richards, Dean Bowditch and Billy Clarke were left behind and Magilton admitted he needs to trim his squad.
“No one is going out right now but it is possible something may happen soon.
“We have a lot of bodies and some like Matt, Dean and Billy, were unlucky to be left out of the trip. Kurt Robinson is emerging and like Matt Richards got an opportunity all that time ago so Kurt will get his and Richo (Matt Richards) understands that.
“We have Gareth (McAuley) and Richard Naylor to come in after Friday so we will tinker with things.
“There will be games this week where they will all be tested.”
Ipswich Town squad: Supple, Balkestein, Wright, McAuley, Naylor, Smith, Casement, Bruce, Peters, Quinn, Trotter, Haynes, Garvan, Roberts, Walters, Miller, Rhodes, Lee, Shumulikoski, Counago.
