FABIAN Wilnis is looking to reclaim the right-back berth at Ipswich Town from Drissa Diallo after a back injury cost him his place, writes Derek Davis.

FABIAN Wilnis is looking to reclaim the right-back berth at Ipswich Town from Drissa Diallo after a back injury cost him his place, writes Derek Davis.

If Jason De Vos fails to shake off a knee injury for tomorrow night's game at Nottingham Forest then Wilnis will return as right-back with Diallo shuffling along to partner goal-hero Richard Naylor.

Blues boss Joe Royle said: “Fabian has been unlucky not to be playing. He dropped out through injury and Drissa has come in and grabbed the position.

“If Drissa has to move across then we are in a fortunate position where Fabian would come in and we would be perfectly happy.”

The emergence of Diallo as a full-back has lessened the urgency for Royle to bring in a right-back, although he is still looking to provide cover at left-back in case Matt Richards were to go down.

The EADT reported last week that Justin Hoyte was unlikely to join Town as he is being lined up to join a London club on loan once Arsenal have bought a new defender.

But that won't stop Ipswich bringing someone else in - if needed.

Royle said: “In an ideal world I would like another defender and a forward but financially we are restricted and we are covered.

“If it got to the stage where we had to bring someone in then we have contingencies and all the time we are waiting for answers back from other people.”

New signing Tony Dinning goes straight into the squad, giving Royle the opportunity to switch to a 4-4-2 if wanted, although injured Jim Magilton will not be available and Tommy Miller suffered a sore foot in the win over Gillingham.

The Blues have successfully operated a 4-3-3 at home so far, winning all four games 2-1, but may not want to be as adventurous at the City Ground tomorrow.

Royle said: “We now have the scope to have a four-man midfield but we will see what happens and how Tony is in training. He has not played too much first-team football so we want to be sure.”

Canadian international De Vos, who skippered Town on his league debut for the club in the absence of Magilton, will be away on World Cup duty next week but will not miss any Ipswich games.

Forest will include former Town striker David Johnson and could see a return for Des Walker, who officially retired at the end of last season.

Walker could be used in the back line if Jon Olav Hjelde's clearance has still not arrived from Korea.

Walker was used as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with Wigan on Saturday, coming on for 18-year-old debut-making James Perch.

Joe Kinnear is struggling defensively after losing Michael Dawson to a groin injury. He had an operation last weekend and will be out for five weeks.

John Thompson went under the knife the following day to pin a dislocated shoulder and he will miss six weeks.