Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has delivered a positive update on attacker Sammie Szmodics ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
The 29-year-old made his return from an ankle problem in the 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Coventry City and registered an assist, but he was then withdrawn before half time with what was feared to be a recurrence of the issue.
However, McKenna has revealed that the problem is not as severe as first thought, and he may not have to join Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles), Wes Burns (knee), Christian Walton (groin) and Conor Chaplin (knee) in the medical bay.
Nevertheless, either Omari Hutchinson or Julio Enciso should occupy the number 10 slot for the time being, and the former has our vote to get the nod, while Enciso could very well miss out entirely.
Jack Clarke might have played his way into a start after registering a brace and assist in the crushing of Coventry, while Jaden Philogene was also on target and could feature against his old club behind returning talisman Liam Delap.
McKenna saw fit to make several changes for the victory over Coventry, but a more familiar Premier League XI should take to the field now, as Sam Morsy and Jens Cajuste pair up in the engine room.
Leif Davis, Axel Tuanzebe, Jacob Greaves and Dara O'Shea ought to return to the backline too, but Alex Palmer will likely fend off the threat of Arijanet Muric to make his Premier League debut in goal.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Philogene, Hutchinson, Clarke; Delap
> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for this game
Ben Knapton
