THE long, hard slog is over and the return is imminent!

THE long, hard slog is over and the return is imminent!

Luciano Civelli, who has been on the treatment table rather than the football pitch for the best part of 16 months, is set to feature for Ipswich Town in their first pre-season fixture at Newmarket Town this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Town boss Roy Keane has named a powerful squad of 22, with virtually all of his senior players in action.

One exception is World Cup star Tommy Smith, who has been given an extra two weeks off following his exploits for New Zealand in South Africa.

In a so-far frustrating summer for Keane, and Town’s supporters, due to the dearth of new signings, the return of Civelli will feel like a new recruit.

Indeed, the Argentine is yet to play under Keane, after seriously damaging his knee during the closing minutes of the game against Burnley in March, 2009.

Left-sided specialist Civelli, snapped up from Argentine club Athletico Banfield for �1m just under two months before his injury, played eight games for Jim Magilton’s side.

Now the 23-year-old is on the brink of a return, although the road ahead is still a long one, as Keane himself has warned.

“He (Civelli) still has a long way to go yet as well, but he’s making progress and that’s obviously good news for Luca and the football club,” said Keane,

Keane is planning to play two different starting XIs in each half tonight. The named 22 include virtually all of the eight players slapped on the transfer list last week, including Pablo Counago, Jon Stead, Lee Martin and Alex Bruce.

In addition to Civelli, Town’s other main injury concern, defender Damian Delaney, is also in the squad and poised to play against the Jockeys.

Delaney missed the last three games of last season, due to an ankle injury picked up early in the second half of the 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. But he has responded to treatment and is therefore making a quicker than expected return to the fold.

Tonight promises to be a big occasion for Ridgeons Premier Division hosts Newmarket.