Ipswich v Q.P.R.

Last updated : 29 March 2008 By Morris (southampton)
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton is hoping striker Shefki Kuqi can return to alleviate an attacking crisis ahead of the clash with QPR.

Kuqi lasted just 10 minutes of his second debut for the club in the 2-0 win over Charlton earlier this month before being carried off on a stretcher with a hamstring injury.

However the Finland forward has made good progress in training and could be fit enough to start alongside Alan Lee against Luigi De Canio's side.

The on-loan Crystal Palace man is needed as Magilton is without joint top scorers Jon Walters and Pablo Counago.

Walters is out until the last game of the season after a knee operation while Counago begins a three-match ban after his appeal against his red card in the 2-1 win at Scunthorpe was rejected.

Youngster Jordan Rhodes will again be involved but midfielder David Norris remains sidelined with his heel injury and defender Richard Naylor is set to miss the rest of the season with a neck problem.

Martin Rowlands will be fit to keep his place in the QPR side.

The inspirational midfielder had to be substituted after half an hour of last Saturday's 3-3 draw at Wolves with a hip problem, but he is back in training and has been passed fit for the trip to East Anglia.

Gavin Mahon, who replaced Rowlands at Molineux, is building up his match fitness following a knee injury and will be pushing for a start.

Winger Hogan Ephraim returns to the squad following a three-match ban and should be on the bench.

Back-up goalkeeper Jake Cole is about a week away from returning after undergoing a clean-up operation on his elbow.