Town boss Paul Jewell says a number of unnamed players face fitness tests ahead of Tuesday’s home game with Reading. The Blues are definitely without Mark Kennedy and Colin Healy.

Jewell said: “We’ve got one or two injury concerns which are probably going to stretch us a little bit. Mark Kennedy’s not going to be available, Colin Healy’s not going to be available, but don’t ask me who the others are because I’m not going to tell you.”

The Blues boss says he’s not sure how long Kennedy will be missing: “I don’t know yet. He had an injection on Saturday night and he had one again yesterday. It’s a bit sore this morning. You have to be careful with hamstrings and he’s had a couple of hamstrings before this season.

“I think he showed his experience by stopping at the right time. As soon as he felt a little pinch he came off. I don’t like putting times on injuries but I think he’ll be fit before the international break.”

Healy is likely to be back sooner: “It’s a little tear. It’s like everyone else, we’re all different healers but I wouldn’t expect him to be out too long. I would expect him to be available for selection on Saturday.”

Striker Connor Wickham was subbed in the latter stages on Saturday appearing to be suffering from an ankle problem but Jewell says the 17-year-old will be in his team against the Royals: “I think he was just a little bit tired.

“I brought him off, then he decided he didn’t want to come off. I think Connor is a young lad who’s played a lot of games in a short space of time, playing in a position that’s probably not his favourite position.

“We’ve got to be careful that, while he’s big and strong, he’s still only 17 and we’ve got to keep an eye on fatigue, but he’s going to be OK for tomorrow.”

Keeper Brian Murphy is around two weeks away from joining in full training after his broken ankle and is currently working with goalkeeper-coach Jim Hollman.

Midfielder Alan Quinn is continuing his recovery from the groin injury which has decimated his season and might have played in a reserves friendly with Tottenham later in the week but Town have called it off due to the large number of first team games coming up.

Meanwhile, former Town loanee Andros Townsend has joined Millwall on loan having had his previous spell with Watford cut short.

Elsewhere, Charlie Austin, who turned down a move to Town to join Burnley in January, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Photo: Action Images

mikewright2 added 14:33 - Mar 7 WHEYYY happy we didnt sign Auston now :) cojme on Jewell some decent players in the summer pleaseee
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DiamondGezzer added 14:42 - Mar 7 I should think that after the result on Saturday they'd all want to play. Best of luck to you all for tomorrow.
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pitseablue added 14:58 - Mar 7 Hope we can keep the team together as much as possible for tomorrow night. Looking foward to this one, another team who are going well,should be another good test of how far PJ has taken us!
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mo_itfc added 15:05 - Mar 7 gota get a new forward in soon, I dont think Priskin or Scotland are suited for it. Glad we didnt get Auston now!
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 15:19 - Mar 7 I know the sun's out today and everyone seems in a great mood anway, but even so, isn't it nice to come on here and read positive comments, a manager giving you confidence, a team starting to feel like a team again - despite the injuries, you still get a positive vibe. COYB and bring on some more sunshine!!! :-)
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CanadianBlue added 16:08 - Mar 7 Surely Townsend is coming up to UEFA/FIFA rules on the amount of clubs he can play for in a given season...
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village_blue added 16:15 - Mar 7 Pity that Kennedy and Healy are injured at the moment as they are key players for us at present, both unsung hero's who at the start of the season there were many many moans from certain supporters about these two players.
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fourth added 16:17 - Mar 7 Why not play Connor where he ENJOYS playing? He will, even at his tender age, have built up a set of automatic reactions and preferred passes which will mean he is more effective in that area. Would you put Jimmy B in a stopper role?
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Ipswich24 added 17:17 - Mar 7 I dont understand why we didnt go back in for Andros Townsend does anyone think he is a bad egg as we got rid now watford have too? Thought he was fantastic talent.
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clive_baker added 17:24 - Mar 7 Agree 100% with Jewell we need to be carefull not to burn out young Wickham. Wouldn't mind if we rested him and used him from the bench tomorrow so he can get at the Leeds defence with some fresh legs. O'dea is the obvious replacement for Kennedy with the rest of the back 4 and keeper unchanged. I think Priskin will come in for Scotland (bit harsh on Scotland but i think Priskin is better suited against Reading). Midfield will prob remain unchanged if all fit but I wouldn't be shocked if Drury. Either way it's great to be talking about creative players like Drury, Bullard, Wickham and Priskin now who have played well when given the chance. The dark Roy Keane cloud is now far in the distance. Just need to finish the season well (top 10 would be good considering we were 5th from bottom when Jewell came in), beat the scum and buy/sell well this summer and we could be a force next year. COYB

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jas0999 added 19:02 - Mar 7 Looking forward to the game under the lights tomorrow! Should be good. Should be able totake at least a point?
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Worcester added 20:07 - Mar 7 Well well. Austin got an injury eh? That sucks for him but a lucky escape for us. We need to combine the first half of the pompey game with the second half of the cardiff game. Good luck chaps
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bobble added 20:56 - Mar 7 i can tell you now mr jewel you aint going to pass any
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Ipswich24 added 21:09 - Mar 7 Cox on loan until end of season
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bluelady added 22:10 - Mar 7 Ipswich24 think Martin better and also he just gone on loan to millwall I think
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Ipswich24 added 23:01 - Mar 7 I know he gone to Milwall which is why said Jewell should gone in for him
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Calmingwind added 07:44 - Mar 8 i wonder why towsends move to watford was cut short? lad is good at this level and watford have a bare bones squad. limit is 3 clubs in a season isnt it for loans?
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underthesun666 added 17:24 - Mar 8 I just cannot understand why no club want andros townsend!? he was fantastic here... there must be something we dont know about him
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