IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is keeping his fingers crossed that key midfielder Gavin Williams stays fit after Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski was ruled out for the rest of the season.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is keeping his fingers crossed that key midfielder Gavin Williams stays fit after Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Magilton wants to make an impact in the final seven Championship games of the season, and with Darren Currie having been loaned to Derby the Blues could be short of experienced cover in the centre of the park.

Williams partnering Owen Garvan in the centre of midfield would be the ideal scenario for Magilton with George O'Callaghan and Matt Richards on standby to fill in.

Williams was out for six weeks after suffering a pelvic problem at the end of January, and when fit helps make the Blues tick.

Legwinski suffered a foot injury in a block tackle against Luton ten days ago and has been told by a specialist that he needs six weeks rest.

Also out for the rest of the campaign is central defender Richard Naylor, who has been struggling since late January with a badly bruised toe.

Naylor has deep bone bruising and Ipswich have been told that he needs an extended period of rest.

He will not be in action again until next season and Ian Miller has been recalled from his loan period at Darlington.

Miller, 23, began the season with Bury Town in the Ryman League and is in line for his Town debut against Plymouth at Portman Road Saturday.

Jason De Vos has not trained since the win at Luton and Miller, who has done well when loaned to both Boston and Darlington this season, said: “I like to think I'm ready to take that next step.

“It is a real sink or swim but I have worked hard to get here. You don't get handed these sorts of chances on a plate, you have to earn them and hopefully I have done enough to take that next rung on the ladder.”

Miller would become the first non-league player to start for Town since Simon Milton, also from Bury Town more than ten years ago.

Chris Casement's loan move to Millwall has been put on hold while he recovers from a slight knee injury.

Loan striker Francis Jeffers has returned to Portman Road as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring tear.

The Blackburn Rovers striker could be back in action for the Blues before the end of the season.

Jeffers said: “I am recovering quicker than I expected and the Ipswich physio staff is to have a look at how things are progressing. I am here for the week to continue my rehab and we will take it from there.”

Jeffers' initial month with Town ends this Saturday, but could be extended if he is near to a return.

Magilton has said that he is keen to make the one-time England front man a permanent signing over the summer.

Full-back Michael Synnott should be fit when the reserves take on Leyton Orient at Portman Road next Tuesday.

Synnott chipped an ankle bone while away with the Republic of Ireland U21 side earlier in the month.

A young Town reserve side faced Orient at Brisbane Road this afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

SEAN Doherty, a 22-year-old right-sided midfield player who was previously with Everton and has just been released by Accrington Stanley, is having a week's trial with Ipswich Town.