Blues assistant manager Chris Hutchings says striker Michael Chopra will be fine to take his place up front for Town against his old club Cardiff at Portman Road on Saturday despite suffering a minor knock in the 1-0 victory at Portsmouth on Tuesday. There was further good news for the Blues with midfielder Lee Bowyer in with a chance of being involved in the squad, while Ibrahima Sonko was also out on the training field this morning.

Hutchings, who for a change took on the duties of speaking to the written press this morning, although with boss Paul Jewell at the club, says Chopra is fine: “He got a kick but he trained fully this morning.

“His calves were a little bit tight as well, so it was just a precaution him coming off, and also to add a fresh pair of legs up front with Jason Scotland going on."

The former Chelsea full-back says Lee Bowyer could be back in the squad for the first time since suffering his groin injury in the Nottingham Forest match on January 2nd: “Lee’s training today and he’s trained all week. We’ll have to wait and see whether he’s included in the squad.”

Ibrahima Sonko dislocated a rib during the abandoned game against Middlesbrough but Hutchings says the centre-half is already making tentative moves in the right direction: “He’s done a little bit of jogging today, so that’s a major plus.

“He’ll be assessed tomorrow. Obviously he’s not going to be available [at the weekend], it’s slow progress.

“When they do a little bit of work, it’s about how they are in the morning the next day whether they can step up their work, maintain their work or whatever. It was good to see him out on the training ground doing a little bit of jogging.”

The Senegalese international was expected to be out for between two and four weeks but Hutchings wouldn’t be drawn on whether his early appearance on the training field means he’s likely to be back nearer the fortnight mark: “It’s too early to say at the moment in time.

“Sometimes it’s day by day. Physios are never going to say it’s two weeks to us because if he then takes four weeks he’ll get a rollocking! But it’s encouraging to see him out there.”

Meanwhile, Town owner Marcus Evans has bought independent television producer World Productions.

Photo: Action Images

MattinLondon added 14:11 - Feb 16 With all due respect to Bowyer, I can't see him even being on the bench, yet alone the first 11.
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JewellintheTown added 14:13 - Feb 16 As long as it makes him more money that he will spend on the Town, I'm happy for him.
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Garv added 14:14 - Feb 16 Cue Saturday morning: Chops not over knock at Pompey
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townietilidie added 14:14 - Feb 16 C'mon Chops show what their missing ... Call me optomistic but i fancy 3 points Saturday .. The way we have been attacking in the last several games we always look like scoring and it also takes a bit of preasure off the defence . COYB !!!!!!
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JewellintheTown added 14:14 - Feb 16 I was taling about ME buying that Tv thingy, not Mr Chops BTW - bit leftfield from the main topic - sorry
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CornardBlue added 14:34 - Feb 16 We never loose to Cardiff, there players will not want to get injured before there cup final next week, if we keep up high tempo we look good for 3 points and Chops to score again,
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Ipswich24 added 15:51 - Feb 16 Keep same settled side for game on Saturday only change Carson for Leadboots on bench
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irishtim added 16:01 - Feb 16 Bowyer & Bullard release them at the end of the season. Past it doing nothing for us. Invest in youth.
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DutchTownFan added 16:09 - Feb 16 Bowyer was doing alright before he got injured. He'll probably be on the bench on saturday, but I wouldn't wright him off just yet.
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Raedwaldblue added 16:11 - Feb 16 Will be hard to release Bullard he has another year, but agree Carson should be on bench instead of Leadbitter who should be behind Bowyer now hes fit.
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Surco72 added 16:11 - Feb 16 Youth need to learn, training with the likes of Bowyer and Bullard is invalueable experience and both could prove a number wrong before the end of the season in exactly the same way Chops has proved the majority wrong from a few weeks ago when he was a old age flop with massive personal problems !!
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oldelsworthyfan added 16:51 - Feb 16 Agree with you Surco72. It would still not surprise me if Bowyer could be the man to help shore up our defence. He's slower nowadays but a whole lot wiser and experienced and might scare a few of the oppostion forwards! If he's fit, what a waste to have him sitting on the bench because, after all, he's not a loanee.
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PauloJulio added 16:57 - Feb 16 Where's these defensive loan signings PJ was hoping to make this week??
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flashblue added 17:00 - Feb 16 Carson will not play unless he signs. That seems to be the club's policy. No point putting him in the shop window for other clubs.
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singtown added 17:06 - Feb 16 Paulojulio : if PJ can't get any loanees, he'll register himself as player-manager and our secret weapon CB is in fact PJ!!!
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AlanMahon2011 added 18:10 - Feb 16 We love you Chops! Clegg Out
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newtownfan13 added 18:23 - Feb 16 spot on flashblue that seems to be the policy with PJ. it would be great to see the youngster play, miss his moves and pace and excitement on the pitch. Come on PJ play the youth.
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iamipswich added 18:51 - Feb 16 where is ryan stevenson? is he still not fit enough to make the bench? want to see him play sometime this season!
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lezoad added 19:57 - Feb 16 it would be nice to get one back on your old club chops show them you came to the right club(:
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billlm added 19:59 - Feb 16 always thought chopra was as good as you will ever get at championship level were very lucky for 1 million pounds
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Ipswichbusiness added 20:20 - Feb 16 First we keep a clean sheet at Portsmouth without Sonko, then we hear that he's staging a rapid recovery. Could the first have caused the second?
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WalkyTalky added 22:29 - Feb 16 Good to see chops playing, his current form is needed in our team! Hoping sonko recovers soon, but it's good to see Delaney and smith getting their chances finally, and after portsmouth's clean sheet why not keep them till sonko's back rather then a loan!
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ThailandBlue added 07:00 - Feb 17 3 Points on Saturday.. Chops with a Hat Trick.. COYB
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Pedro added 10:31 - Feb 18 First ever posting from Pedro. Excellent game v Portsmouth - enjoyed it thoroughly and was working in Southampton. They all looked really keen - great to see players like Drury and Martin looking good. Hopefully a similar show this afternoon but more clinical finishing than against "pay up" Pompey.
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