Ipswich v Crystal Palace: BLUES boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful that Jay Tabb will be fit to face Crystal Palace at Portman Road tomorrow night.

The Reading loanee was forced off with a knee injury just before half-time in Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Hull City following a late challenge from Corry Evans.

And while his replacement, Anthony Wordsworth, impressed – scoring and providing a much-needed creative spark – the Blues management will want to tread carefully with him following his return from three cracked vetebrae in his back

Asked about Tabb, McCarthy said: “He’s recovered pretty well actually. The swelling has gone down and he’ll be fit for saturday (trip to Sheffield Wedensday), fully fit, and we hope he’ll be okay for tomorrow as well. He’s quite optimistic.”

Town are four points above the Championship drop zone with four games to play, while the fourth-place Eagles are three points above seventh following a return of just two draws from their last five.

The Blues boss continued: “Chops (Michael Chopra( is okay – we just had some ice on his calf at the end as a precaution.

“Lee Martin rocked his ankle in training yesterday. He’s not had the best of times what with being suspended (for three matches) and then getting ill (which has kept him out of the last two). It’s not too serious and I hope he’ll be okay.

“Aaron Mclean got kicked on his toe yesterday, he’s been off for an x-ray, there’s no break, so maybe a pain-killing injection can sure that.

“Pat Kisnorbo has also gone home felling unwell, so we’re a bit depleted at the moment.”

Palace did not play at the weekend as their scheduled opponents, Millwall, were playing their FA Cup semi-final against Wigan. Ian Holloway will be without club captain Mile Jedinak as he serves the first of a two-match ban for accumulated bookings.

– See tomorrow’s EADT and Ipswich Star for full match preview.