BLUES boss Jim Magilton is confident he will get much-needed reinforcements before next week's loan deadline with Ipswich Town's injury problems continuing with another two loan players coming back for treatment.

Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is confident he will get much-needed reinforcements before next week's loan deadline with Ipswich Town's injury problems continuing with another two loan players coming back for treatment.

Matt Richards has returned from Brighton with a grade two hamstring tear that will keep him out of action for between a fortnight and a month.

Jaime Peters left Yeovil due to injury and he is also back at Portman Road for treatment.

Dean Bowditch had already curtailed his loan spell at Brighton due to a groin injury, while Gary Roberts came back from Crewe with an Achilles problem.

Roberts impressed in the reserves 5-0 win over Colchester United at Portman Road, on Tuesday and while Steve Holland may want him back at the Alex, Jim Magilton's need may be greater.

He has lost David Norris, Jon Walters and Crystal Palace loanee Shefki Kuqi for the Scunthorpe game, with defender Richard Naylor also a major doubt.

Magilton is actively in talks with three possible loanees and believes he will land a couple before Thursday next week, which is the emergency loan shut off.

Magilton said: “I'm confident of landing at least one, maybe two, of three international players with Premier League clubs before the deadline.”

The list of possibilities continues to grow as Magilton widens his net with David Healy, Heidar Helguson, Rob Earnshaw, Kenny Miller, and Uncle Tom Cobley all being linked.

Although Magilton made a bold bid to land Darren Bent and David Nugent, neither have come off but that is the sort of player he covets.

Fulham's Dejan Stefanovic remains a target, while his Fulham team-mate Carlos Bocanegro has been floated too.