A tackle by Town defender Damien Delaney appears to have put Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane out of Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Macedonia (Sky Sports One/HD1 8pm). Tottenham striker Keane suffered a groin injury apparently as a result of the challenge during training in Dublin today.
First half goals from Jason Scotland and David Norris saw the Blues to a 2-1 victory over already-relegated Preston in their final home game of the season. Town were good for their 2-0 lead at the break but their performance again drifted in a second half in which Paul Coutts pulled one back for the visitors.
Town boss Paul Jewell says he doesn’t want the heavy defeats to Norwich and Swansea to detract too much from what has generally been a decent first three months at Portman Road. The Blues play their final home game of the season against already-relegated Preston North End on Saturday.
Blues boss Paul Jewell has paid tribute to defender Darren O’Dea, whose loan at Town from Celtic has been brought to an early end by the ankle injury he sustained at Swansea on Monday. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been with the Blues since August, making 22 starts and three sub appearances.