GARY Roberts has emerged as another injury doubt for Ipswich Town's trip to Barnsley on Saturday.Striker Billy Clarke is already ruled out with the ankle ligament damage he picked up on Sunday against Norwich.

By Derek Davis

GARY Roberts has emerged as another injury doubt for Ipswich Town's trip to Barnsley on Saturday.

Striker Billy Clarke is already ruled out with the ankle ligament damage he picked up on Sunday against Norwich.

Roberts has missed training this week with a groin strain and will be tested tomorrow before the team travel to south Yorkshire.

The 24-year-old, who has spoken about his grief at the death of close friend Ben Nowak who was killed in action in Basra, felt the injury in a man of the match performance at Portman Road.

Roberts has been outstanding for the Blues since arriving on loan from Accrington Stanley and is expected to sign a permanent £200,000 deal at Portman Road in January.

Clarke's loss will also be a blow for the Blues but could open the door for two-goal derby hero Danny Haynes, who showed he had recovered from a hip injury with a sparkling display in the win over Norwich on Sunday.

The hoped-for return of Owen Garvan may have to wait a little longer after the Suffolk Premier Cup match against Needham Market was last night postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Gavin Williams had also hoped to take an important step back into action and will hope the game can be rearranged for next week.

While Garvan was in the squad against Norwich and will be in the party travelling to Oakwell, Williams may have to be a little more patient.

Town target Ronnie Wallwork has joined Barnsley, who sacked their manager Andy Ritchie earlier this week and will have reserve team boss Simon Davey in charge for the Championship clash. Dean Bowditch and Martin Brittain have had their loan spells extended at Brighton and Yeovil respectively, while James Krause has now completed his loan move to Carlisle and will stay for an initial two months.

The Blues Under-18s will travel to Yeovil for the third round of the FA Youth Cup, on a date to be arranged before December 16.

Meanwhile, former Town favourite Marcus Stewart is close to making his loan spell with Yeovil permanent.

n Saffron Walden 15-year-old Craig Calver is among the first intake of Under-18s to be offered a two-year scholarship at Ipswich Town's Academy. Also joining the Under 18s side next season is 15-year-old Joe Clemo. Calver, known widely as Wiggy, is the son of former non-league player Tony Calver.

Gary's grief - see Page 15