Ipswich match preview

Last updated : 06 November 2009 By Angus Muller

The Royals last won at home in January - some 16 games ago - but they did impressively beat Coventry 3-1 at the Ricoh Arena last weekend.

Grzegorz Rasiak scored twice in that win and will again partner Simon Church, while Jimmy Kebe could return to the squad.

The Mali international missed last weekend's game with a groin problem but is back in training and should be involved.

Forward Noel Hunt had surgery on his knee injury last week and is expected to be out for some time, while left-back Chris Armstrong is still recovering from knee surgery of his own.

Full-back Julian Kelly (shoulder) remains the only other injury concern for Rodgers.

Ipswich defender Liam Rosenior has been given the go-ahead to face his parent club.

Rosenior joined Roy Keane's side on loan at the end of August and the Royals have allowed him to feature against them this weekend.

Gareth McAuley remains sidelined with a thigh injury so Alex Bruce will continue to deputise at centre-half while fellow defender Tommy Smith is also out after suffering a freak hand injury last week.

The youngster had an operation after dislocating two fingers and seeing a bone come through his hand and will be out for several weeks.

Teenage striker Connor Wickham is available again however, after missing two games due to international duty.

Midfielder David Norris remains sidelined with his serious knee injury, while Argentinian winger Luciano Civelli is also yet to feature this season as he recovers from his knee ligament damage.

Sporting Life