Forward Nathan Broadhead is back in training ahead of Saturday’s home game against Charlton, while manager Kieran McKenna says Leif Davis, who was substituted late on at Cheltenham on Monday, is also OK.

Broadhead missed the visit to Whaddon Road having aggravated the ankle injury he initially picked up at Derby during the 4-0 Good Friday victory over Wycombe.

“They’re OK,” McKenna said when asked about the duo’s fitness. “Nathan’s trained today for the first time with the group, so we have to make a decision with the games coming thick and fast.

“Leif’s had a few little issues, as some other lads have had as well, but it’s normal at this stage of the season 40 games in, it’s been a long season.

“I think we’re fit, I think we’ve got a really good availability record but players are going to be carrying knocks and niggles at this stage but we have to keep pushing and trust that our fitness and the work that we’ve done right the way through the season will carry us strong all the way to the last game.”

McKenna confirmed that midfielder Lee Evans is now out on the grass with the rest of the squad but is a little way off returning to match action.

“Training with the group, still needs a little bit of time to get full confidence in the knee, so he’s working away, he’s working well,” he said.

“But still needs a little bit more training time to build up the confidence and build up his fitness and his rhythm as well.”

Photo: Matchday Images

martin587 added 14:35 - Apr 14 Brilliant news.We need these two for tomorrow.
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Suffolkboy added 14:46 - Apr 14 Great optimism and availability for the weekend then ! Keep it going ITFC - there's terrific support behind you ! COYB
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cressi added 15:04 - Apr 14 40 games oh well, Butcher Osman and co played over 70 games at the top level like life today just soft I'm afraid
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jollyroger added 15:27 - Apr 14 Cressi I think you will find todays players do alot more running , closing down movment off the ball etc and butch himself said he would find todays training and games very hard
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Runner added 16:24 - Apr 14 Cressi : yes 81 was a lot of games, league, f a cup semi, two legs of uefa Cup final, but I am sure it was 66 games in total.
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chepstowblue added 16:43 - Apr 14 Broadhead was missed greatly at Cheltenham. Whilst I have nothing against Harness it's gotta be said that when he's bad he's bl**dy awful, as he was in that game. If Broadhead is rested until Tuesday, surely Edwards ability to get bums off seats is the better option tomorrow.
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DifferentGravy added 16:57 - Apr 14 Great news having Davis n Broadhead (skilfull) back and with Evans returning we have good options in centre midfield.
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Linkboy13 added 17:19 - Apr 14 Yes Harness has been out of form for quite a while now his passing and decision making have been poor. Broadhead is a very difficult man to replace and Edwards just of late has been showing signs of the potential we know he's got but it's just a question of whether he fits into McKenna's system. Harness proved at Portsmouth he's a very good player at league one level but coming to a bigger club like Ipswich presents more pressure you have to play well week in week out where as at a smaller club with smaller squads you are likely to get a longer run in the team.

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Bazza8564 added 10:13 - Apr 15 Broadhead was a huge miss Monday, neither Harness or Edwards are close to his level and im sure he will start, play 60 minutes and hopefully that will be enough. As for the 1980s comment, well if you think the game is the same as it was then, i feel for you. With the possible exception of Warky, who was massively fit, the others would have been done by Xmas playing the way we do these days

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