DAMIEN Delaney won’t let Ipswich down tomorrow if called upon.

That’s according to keeper David Stockdale after the news came through that centre-back Ibrahima Sonko is a major injury doubt for the Championship visit of Crystal Palace.

With the Senegalese defender struggling with the hamstring problem which forced him off during Tuesday night’s unconvincing 1-0 home win over Portsmouth, a run of six unchanged starting line-ups looks set to come to an end as Town aim to record a fifth straight victory at Portman Road.

“When Damo came on (for Sonko) there seemed to be a few people in the crowd that weren’t very happy and I don’t understand why,” said Stockdale.

“Perhaps it’s those Southampton and Peterborough games (Town conceded 12 goals in the space of five days back in August) that are sticking in people’s minds, but we’ve all moved on since then.

“He’s had to come on a couple of times recently and done very, very well.

“We’re a team and we’re all right behind Damo. He’s a great player, an international player and I’ve certainly got no qualms about him playing in front of me.”

Delaney has been out of the team since Danny Collins’ arrival on loan from Stoke, but he has helped secure clean sheets against Coventry and Portsmouth as a substitute.

The Republic of Ireland international would appear to be first in line to replace Sonko tomorrow, however Blues boss Paul Jewell does have other options.

Icelander Ivar Ingimarsson is fully fit again following a thigh injury and would keep a right-left footed balance to the central defensive partnership, while teenage Manchester City loanee Reece Wabara – although regarded as a right-back – is also capable of playing in the middle of defence.

A reader poll on this website yesterday saw Ingimarsson win 76% of the vote, with Delaney claiming 18% and Wabara 6%.

– See tomorrow’s EADT and Evening Star for full match previews.