Ipswich v Norwich

Last updated : 12 April 2008 By Morris (southampton)

Counago has missed the last three games through suspension following his red card at Scunthorpe but will return up front alongside Alan Lee as Jim Magilton's side seek a win to keep their play-off hopes alive.

That would see Gary Roberts miss out while 18-year-old Jordan Rhodes will again be involved after he came off the bench to score his first goal in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff on Wednesday night.

Magilton could also be boosted by the return of three key players from injury.

On-loan Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi is improving all the time from his hamstring injury while midfielder David Norris is back training after his heel problem.

Jon Walters is also back in training and miles ahead of schedule after knee surgery and Town have not ruled out all three making improbable returns for the derby.

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder is set to name an unchanged squad for the East Anglian derby.

Roeder saw his side come from 2-0 down to claim a point in the reverse fixture in November in his first game in charge and will be hoping for a win to all but confirm the Canaries' safety - as well as dent Ipswich's play-off chances.

Gary Doherty returned from a back injury as a late substitute in last weekend's 2-0 win over Burnley but could again be forced into accepting a place on the bench thanks to the form of on-loan Reading defender Alex Pearce.

Midfielders Darel Russell and Mark Fotheringham had been struggling with illness and a knock respectively but came through the Burnley win unscathed and should continue.

Right-back Juan Velasco has returned to training after a thigh problem and is in contention while Ched Evans is pushing for a recall to the starting XI after his late goal last weekend.

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