A SIX-MILE traffic jam last night wrecked the chance for some to give Joe Royle a little nudge as the reserve game at Nottingham Forest was called off, writes Derek Davis.

A SIX-MILE traffic jam last night wrecked the chance for some to give Joe Royle a little nudge as the reserve game at Nottingham Forest was called off, writes Derek Davis.

The Ipswich Town team bus was snarled up for nearly two hours in the A1 congestion north of Peterborough, meaning the likes of Martijn Reuser, Drissa Diallo, Alun Armstrong and Scott Mitchell were denied the chance to shine against the reserve league basement club.

With Ian Westlake (pictured below) and Jim Magilton not certain to make Saturday's game at Rotherham due to injury, the Blues boss was on his way to Nottingham to run the rule once again over a number of senior players before the postponement.

Royle is still hopeful that Westlake, who picked up a knee and calf injury against West Brom last Sunday, and skipper Magilton, will make it, and he will also have John McGreal back after he missed out last week with a knee problem.

He said: "Ian is a quick healer while I have learnt not to write Jim off as he has proved us wrong before. John is also improving so we will see how they all are in training over the next couple of days."

If both midfielders were to miss out, Reuser could start on the left flank while Georges Santos has been employed in the anchor role in front of the back four before, with Tommy Miller keeping his place in central midfield and Jermaine Wright making up the diamond formation.

Mitchell made his home debut against Watford as a late replacement for Magilton and is still likely to make the squad.

Armstrong missed out to Shefki Kuqi last weekend for a place on the bench but would have liked the chance to give Royle a nudge last night.

Other youngsters, such as Stuart Boardley, Scott Barron and Alfie Kamara, have caught the eye in recent reserve games but will probably have to be patient while Town are still in the hunt for a play-off place.

Despite leaving four hours before the scheduled kick-off time, Town found themselves caught up in the tailback between junctions 17 and 18 mainly due to road works on the A1, but fortunately they avoided a serious accident when two lorries collided, closing all three lanes on the northbound A1M near Peterborough.

Reserve team manager Steve McCall said: "It is disappointing but unavoidable. The way the traffic was it is unlikely we would have got to the City Ground and ready to kick-off much before 9pm."

Town fans travelling to Rotherham on Saturday may prefer to go up the M1.

The Millers will have Chris Swailes back after suspension and are hoping Chris Sedgwick will recover from injury.