Town go to Swansea's Liberty Stadium for the first time on Saturday looking for their fourth away league win in a row. Striker Kevin Lisbie could return to the starting line-up, having impressed during the Blues' winning run on the road.

While the former Colchester and Charlton man has failed to hit top form at home, away from Portman Road he has been one of Town's key performers, creating both Jon Stead's goals in the recent 2-1 victory at Barnsley.

The 30-year-old and Stead could again be paired against the Swans, with Pablo Couñago dropping to the bench.

In midfield, manager Jim Magilton as usual has a significant number of options and could revert to the midfield which was so effective at Barnsley, particularly in the first half. That would see a recall for Alan Quinn in the centre alongside Tommy Miller with Jon Walters on the right and David Norris on the left.

Owen Garvan will also come into the reckoning, while Veliche Shumulikoski will also be hoping for some involvement after a number of weeks out of the side.

New signing Luciano Civelli will make the trip to South Wales, but a brief sub appearance seems his most likely involvement. Prior to his move to the Blues the 22-year-old left winger hadn't played for more than a month with Argentinian football in pre-season.

At the back, the Blues are likely to be unchanged with David Wright at left-back, Alex Bruce on the right and Gareth McAuley and Pim Balkestein in the centre.

Iván Campo is continuing his recovery from his torn calf muscle and is expected to progress from swimming and cycling to jogging next week before returning to training the following week.

Moritz Volz was close to a return to the squad after his groin problem but has been left behind in Suffolk, however, the German is likely to be available for next week's home game against Blackpool.

Tommy Smith remains Town's only long-term absentee due to the broken ankle he sustained in August. The central defender is due back in reserves action before the end of the season.

Assistant manager John Gorman says he is expecting an entertaining game between two sides who like to play passing football: "They're a bit similar to Ipswich in the way we play, so it's got the makings of a cracking match. I'm looking forward to it as everybody tells me they're a very good football team.

"They're two points ahead of us, so if we win the game we could go ahead of them or they could go five points ahead of us. So, it's important that we get something out of this game.

"We want to continue our away form, which has been excellent. Three away wins on the trot takes a bit of beating and there's no reason why we can't go there to win the match again.”

The Swans, currently ninth on 45 points two places above the Blues, are difficult to beat at home, having won six, drawn eight and lost just the once at the Liberty Stadium this season.

Manager Roberto Martinez, who beat Town boss Jim Magilton to the Manager of the Month award earlier in the week, is also expecting an attractive match: "Ipswich are a footballing side, they are similar to us in the way they want to win football games. They treat the ball well and rely a lot on their attacking play.

"I expect them to come to the Liberty Stadium and play an open game and push forward with the aim of winning it.

"That should make it a good game and a very good advert for Championship football.”

A former team-mate of Jon Walters's at Chester, Martinez says his side's home form will be key as the Swans look to reach the play-offs in their first season back in the Championship: "We've got eight important finals left at home.

"We will be going out there without fear, with plenty of confidence because that will be the best way for us to face what lies ahead. I think we are ready now to deal with any challenge that might be thrown at us.”

Midfielder Darren Pratley, who impressed at Portman Road earlier in the season, is out with a shoulder injury, while right-back Angel Rangel is banned.

Another full-back, Matty Collins, is missing due to an ankle problem, which is likely to see Albert Serran make his first league appearance since joining Swansea from Espanyol last summer.

Nathan Dyer is back having missed the draw at Southampton, the club from whom he is on loan.

Swansea have not yet been informed by the Football League whether their loan move for Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos went through before the transfer window closed.

Striker Gorka Pintado is set to undergo a hernia operation on Monday but is available for Saturday's game.

Midfielder Ferrie Bodde and striker Marcos Painter are both long-term absentees with cruciate knee ligament injuries.

Historically, the Blues just about have the edge over the Swans, winning nine matches (seven in the league), losing eight (eight) and drawing seven (six).

Earlier in the season, the sides drew 2-2 at Portman Road, Pablo Couñago scoring twice for the Blues and Ferrie Bodde and Jordi Gomez for the Swans.

Town's last visit to Swansea's old Vetchfield ground in the 1982/83 season ended in a 1-1 draw with Paul Mariner scoring for the Blues and Ante Rajković for the Welsh side.

No member of the current Town squad has played for Swansea, while no present Blues player has represented the Swans.

Swansea's new ground has undersoil heating and the pitch is not expected to be a problem regardless of the weather, while efforts are being made to ensure the area around the stadium are safe for spectators.

Snow fell heavily in South Wales and the west of England overnight and there have been problems on the roads between Suffolk and the Liberty Stadium.

Saturday's referee is Kevin Wright from Cambridgeshire, who has shown 43 yellow and three red cards in 21 games so far this season. Wright's last Town match was the 1-1 home draw with Charlton earlier in the season in which he yellow-carded Jon Stead and two Addicks players.

Town squad: R Wright, Supple, D Wright, Bruce, Thatcher, Balkestein, McAuley, Garvan, Norris, Shumulikoski, Quinn, Miller, Walters, Civelli, Haynes, Lisbie, Stead, Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls