Ipswich Town’s eagerly-awaited East Anglian derby with Norwich City is set to be put back a day.

The Blues were scheduled to host the Canaries, relegated from the Premier League in May, on Saturday, August 23, following the release of the Sky Bet Championship fixture list last week.

However, after a request from Suffolk police, the Bank Holiday weekend clash is now likely to be played on Sunday, August 24 with a noon kick-off.

The police want to minimise potential trouble to the respective local communities by changing the return fixture time too, although their request has yet to be accepted by the Football League.

The fixture change would represent Town’s second re-arranged kick-off in the first month of the season, with their opening day clash at home to Fulham on Saturday August 9 having been chosen for Sky TV coverage and a 5.15pm start.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “Suffolk Constabulary can confirm that it has requested that the Football League move the Ipswich versus Norwich fixture from Saturday, August 23 to lunchtime on Sunday, August 24.

“The request stems from a recommendation contained in a report which examined the policing of the Ipswich v Norwich fixtures in 2011.

“The report concluded that future derby matches should be held on a Sunday lunchtime, to minimise the potential for disorder and disruption to the local community.

“However, the request to move the fixture has yet to be confirmed.”

Meanwhile, former Manchester City winger Alex Henshall has agreed to sign for Ipswich, the EADT understands.

The Swindon-born youngster, 20, was offered a deal by Blues boss Mick McCarthy at the end of the season and is expected to link up with his new team-mates for the start of pre-season next week.

Henshall spent time on loan at Town last season, without making an appearance, and has also enjoyed temporary spells with Bristol Rovers, Chesterfield and Swindon.

Town, who were also interested in signing Haverhill-born defender Michael Morrison, before he decided to pen a new deal with Charlton Athletic, are also still keen on landing another former loan star, Stephen Hunt, and have been linked with former Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood.