IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton has saluted the courage of club captain Jason De Vos after the central defender played through the pain barrier to ensure the Blues steered clear of Championship relegation trouble.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton has saluted the courage of club captain Jason De Vos after the central defender played through the pain barrier to ensure the Blues steered clear of Championship relegation trouble.

De Vos revealed in The Evening Star after the 5-1 win over Barnsley that he was playing through the pain barrier.

And that he was prepared to do so until he was told he had to stop.

“The bone I broke in January is fine, but that foot has a history of problems,” said De Vos.

He is to now undergo foot surgery, and will be out for the remainder of the season.

Magilton said: “Jason has being playing in pain for a while and it is important that he now has the surgery.

“The date has been booked for the operation, hopefully it will enable the skipper to be back with us for the start of pre-season training.

“If we left it any later Jason might have been struggling to be fit for our return after the summer break.

“We want to hit the ground running next year and it is important that we have a fully fit squad when we report back for duty in June.”

Ipswich physio Matt Byard explained De Vos' problem. He said: “Jason has a stress fracture of the third metatarsal and the operation is needed to enable the fracture to heal.

“The surgery will make sure the problem does not re-occur and, although you can never be sure of recovery times before seeing how the surgery goes, he has a chance of being back for the start of pre-season.”

De Vos' loss for the last three games will be felt even more if Alex Bruce is suspended for three matches after his red card against Derby last Saturday.

Ipswich have appealed against Bruce's sending off and this is set to be heard today.

Magilton said: “My first reaction was that it was harsh and we have had another look at it on video and it looks handbags.

“I think a yellow card for both players would have been the right decision.”

Magilton, who is not going to appeal over his two-match touchline ban and fine after being sent to the stands at Preston, has dismissed speculation linking Town with Colchester striker Chris Iwelumo, who is out of contract in the summer.