IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today looked ahead to the weekend clash with Bradford and vowed: "We want to continue our good run."Royle's men have won four of their last five league games to shake off their early-season lethargy and climb away from the bottom of the First Division.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today looked ahead to the weekend clash with Bradford and vowed: "We want to continue our good run."

Royle's men have won four of their last five league games to shake off their early-season lethargy and climb away from the bottom of the First Division.

And not even the fact that defender Chris Makin's comeback had been cut short could dent the Town manager's determination to carry on the good work.

Full-back Makin and midfielder Tommy Miller, each of whom has missed the last seven first team fixtures, returned to action in last night's reserve game against Charlton at Portman Road.

The plan was for them to have a first half run-out, but Makin was forced to admit defeat after a mere 27 minutes of Town's 3-0 defeat.

Royle said: "Chris has suffered a recurrence, but it's not as bad as the original. He came off in time, but it's still a setback."

Makin originally came off in the 2-1 home defeat by West Ham with a hip problem, but it was later revealed that he had strained a muscle at the top of his thigh .

Miller, meanwhile, survived unscathed until half-time as his knee held up, but Royle admitted: "Tommy's not ready for a first team return just yet."

Royle is concerned about the fact that 16-year-old defender Aidan Collins was stretchered off after just nine minutes.

He said: "It looks like a badly sprained ankle. We don't think there is a fracture."

The Town boss is hoping that his team's trend of beating those teams below or around them in the table will continue in Yorkshire on Saturday.

Defender Chris Hogg, an England Under 19 international, is joining Third Division Boston United on a month's loan.

Midfielder Nabil Abidallah is set to join Scottish First Division club Ross County.

Abidallah, 21, is keen to try his luck north of the border and boss Joe Royle said: "It's a chance for him to get some first team football."

Ross County boss Alex Smith, together with several of his backroom staff, paid a flying visit to Ipswich recently to study the academy set up.

Royle added: "There is an affinity between the two clubs. We discussed with Alex that players not getting a game here could maybe do a job for him.

"He has asked about Nabil and the lad is up for it."