Owen Garvan, Alex Bruce and Jaime Peters will be amongst the absentees when the squad assembles for the start of pre-season training at Playford Road on Wednesday. The trio have been given an extra fortnight off having spent time with the Republic of Ireland and Canada squads over the summer.

Garvan is still to inform Town whether he intends to sign his new deal at Portman Road. The Irishman's current terms are up at the end of June 2009 with the new contract aimed at keeping him at Portman Road until 2011.

Also missing out on Wednesday are Richard Naylor and David Norris, who are continuing their recoveries after surgery on neck and ankle injuries respectively. Both are likely to be back in action before the start of the season proper.

Aside from those five, all the Blues' senior players are due to return to the training ground for work with fitness coach Simon Thadani. The pre-season programme also includes time at RAF Wattisham and Loughborough University, both of which were also part of last summer's preparations. Town have a lengthy list of friendlies scheduled throughout July and early August.

Former keeper-coach Andy Rhodes says he wishes son Jordan well despite having been deemed surplus to requirements at the end of last season: "I will give Jordan massive support and I want him to stay with Ipswich.

"I love the club and nothing would please me more than Jordan proving a big success up front at Portman Road. He will get my full backing.”

Meanwhile, former winger Brian Siddall has died at the age of 78. Siddall played 60 games for the Blues between 1957 and 1960.

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