IPSWICH Town were handed a major boost today when they learned they could have David Norris back in time to play their remaining two friendlies in Belfast.

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town were handed a major boost today when they learned they could have David Norris back in time to play their remaining two friendlies in Belfast.

The £2m midfielder picked up a heel injury during the win at Brentford last Friday and did not travel with the Blues party to Northern Ireland and missed the 7-0 demolition of Cliftonville in Belfast last night.

But a scan has revealed the problem is not related to his original heel injury and not as bad as first feared and so Town are expecting the former Plymouth player to join them for the matches against Donegal Celtic and Glentoran.

Blues boss Jim Magilton said: “He had a heel pain. It had nothing to do with the other injury. He has been scanned and he has been to see another specialist - hopefully that will give him the green light to carry on with pre-season.

“It's more precautionary than anything. He is undergoing treatment at Ipswich and hopefully we will be able to get him over at the end of the week.”