Ipswich V Middlesbrough at Portman Road - Match Preview




Stearman's in Town

Ipswich are expected to hand a debut to Richard Stearman for the visit of Middlesbrough.

The Wolves defender joined until the end of the season during the week and should come straight in at right-back after Bradley Orr returned to Blackburn following the end of his loan spell.

Fellow new arrival Anthony Wordsworth could also feature after signing from Colchester for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder is likely to start from the bench as Mick McCarthy's side look to end a run of four league games without a win.

Striker Paul Taylor remains a long-term absentee after suffering a foot injury in only his third appearance for the club back in September, but McCarthy otherwise enjoys a clean bill of health.

Kieron Dyer could make his Middlesbrough debut against his first club Ipswich.

The Teessiders are working on the formalities of a short-term deal for the 34-year-old former England midfielder,

Boss Tony Mowbray will make a late decision on Jonathan Woodgate, who has missed the last four games with a calf injury but has returned to training.

Striker Scott McDonald sat out the 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over League Two Aldershot with a tight hamstring and he will be assessed, as will fellow frontman Ishmael Miller (ankle), before Mowbray makes a final decision.

Midfielder Josh McEachran, however, will be available after being ineligible for the cup game under the terms of his loan agreement with parent club Chelsea.

But full-back Justin Hoyte is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a hip injury he suffered during the 1-0 league defeat at Leicester on January 18.

Source: PA

Source: PA