Ipswich vs Derby County - Positive news for Ipswich ahead of Derby clash

Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2017 by PA

Ipswich will have new signings Toumani Diagouraga, Steven Taylor and Danny Rowe available for the home clash with Derby, while three players have resumed training this week after injury.

Midfielder Diagouraga joins from Leeds, experienced defender Taylor penned a deal after impressing on trial and winger Rowe arrives from Macclesfield.

Tommy Smith, David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop have all been back in full training this week.

Smith will not be involved on Tuesday night as boss Mick McCarthy will not rush his return from a back injury, but McGoldrick (hamstring) and Bishop (ankle) could be involved in the weekend clash with Preston. Meanwhile, striker Leon Best has been told he is not part of McCarthy's plans.

Derby boss Steve McClaren will be without midfielder Will Hughes after he suffered a hamstring strain in Friday night's thrilling 2-2 FA Cup fourth round draw with Leicester.

Hughes' absence is not expected to be prolonged with McClaren pencilling him in for a return in the home clash with Bristol City on February 11.

Striker David Nugent, a January signing from Middlesbrough, will also be missing one again as he battles a knee injury, although he is expected to return to training later this week.

However, Nick Blackman and Ikechi Anya could return to the squad after recovering from knee and hamstring problems respectively.