IPSWICH Town are keeping their fingers crossed today that there is no long-term damage to skipper Jon Walters.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town are keeping their fingers crossed today that there is no long-term damage to skipper Jon Walters.

They fear the leading scorer could be out for some time after limping off in obvious distress seconds before Watford netted their late equaliser.

“When a player like Jon Walters asks to come off you know there is something wrong,” said Blues manager Roy Keane.

“He is similar in that way to David Norris, and we have missed David since the opening game. It is a concern and we will be seeing what comes out of the examination Jon will have today.”

Certainly missing at Plymouth on Saturday when Town look to gain their first win of the season will be 16-year-old striker Connor Wickham.

He has been called up by England at Under-17 level and was held back from travelling before last night's game. Wickham is also set to miss the home game with Derby on Saturday week.

“We must not feel sorry for ourselves,” added Keane. “We have Tamas Priskin and Jon Stead waiting to come back in.”

Keane admits that looking from outside the club it might look like there is a crisis at Portman Road with his team bottom of the table.

He said: “If you look at results perhaps there is. But within the club we can see the spirit and the effort that is going on to give our fans something to cheer.

“We were not mentally strong enough to see out the game having spurned numerous chances.”

Hornets boss Malky Mackay had no doubt who was the best side. He said: “Ipswich deserved to win.

“We were below par and most definitely got out of jail. I couldn't see our goal coming.”