IPSWICH Town go into tonight's game at Selhurst Park without the services of Alan Mahon, the Republic of Ireland international midfield player who is on loan from Blackburn.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH Town go into tonight's game at Selhurst Park without the services of Alan Mahon, the Republic of Ireland international midfield player who is on loan from Blackburn.

Mahon came off early in Saturday night's 1-0 home win over Stoke at Portman Road with a hamstring problem.

Scans today revealed that the injury is a tear, but not as big as it might have been.

Manager Joe Royle said: "It looks likes Alan will be out for a month. It could have been worse."

Ian Westlake is in from the start tonight and also in the squad are Dean Bowditch and Matt Bloomfield.

Georges Santos is under treatment for a groin problem. But he should be fit.

Skipper Jim Magilton has a 50-50 chance with has calf problem.

Town boss Joe Royle travelled to link up with his squad today after a big night in Liverpool last night.

He attended a reunion of the Everton 1995 FA Cup winning side that he managed.

Tonight's squads

IPSWICH: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, Naylor, Santos, Wright, Bart-Williams, Miller, Magilton, Westlake, Kuqi, Counago, Bloomfield, Nash, Armstrong, Price.

PALACE: Berhelin, Mullins, Powell, Butterfield, Hughes, Watson, Routledge, Johnson, Black, Shipperley, Freedman, Derry, Fleming, Symons, Rihilahti, Cronin.

Referee: Lee Cable (Surrey)

n TOWN reserves are to give Newmarket midfield man Alex Rhodes a trial game against Derby at Portman Road tomorrow night. (kick-off 7pm).