JIM Magilton faces the first serious test of his man-management skills after on-loan striker Jon Macken's tantrums at Oakwell on Saturday.However, he will not take disciplinarily action as he feels the striker's theatrics were sparked by frustration.

By Elvin King

JIM Magilton faces the first serious test of his man-management skills after on-loan striker Jon Macken's tantrums at Oakwell on Saturday.

However, he will not take disciplinarily action as he feels the striker's theatrics were sparked by frustration.

The Ipswich Town boss found the 1-0 Championship defeat hard enough to take after a lacklustre display against lowly Barnsley.

And he had his position undermined when a furious Macken showed his anger at being substituted in the 59th minute.

The 29-year-old former £6million player, who has scored one goal since arriving at Portman Road in September from Crystal Palace, kicked a plastic bottle right in front of Magilton and then proceeded to give the dug-out surround three hefty kicks with his right foot.

Whether he was taking the frustration out on himself or the decision to replace him it still left Magilton in a ticklish situation.

But the pair were seen talking after the game and there is to be no disciplinary action taken.

There was no spoken dissent aimed at the manager and no confrontation.

Magilton has known the frustration of being withdrawn during his distinguished playing career, and Macken is expected to be in the squad for Wednesday's game at in-form Derby County.

Macken is enjoying life at Portman Road and would like to stay on once his loan period ends in January.

He travelled back to Suffolk on the team coach and the incident is done and dusted as far as the manager is concerned. He said: “Jon should be frustrated at himself if anything. I am not interested in saying any more about it.

“I could see the Barnsley central def-enders tiring and thought the pace of Danny Haynes would cause them prob-lems in the last half hour.”

Magilton has selection problems ahead of Wednesday's game.

Matthew Bates was carried off on a stretcher with suspected medial knee ligament damage, while midfield general Sylvain Legwinski is suspended.

Does Magilton bring back Fabian Wilnis, after appearing to be indirectly criticising the 36-year-old following the home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday two weeks ago?

Sito Castro could also be brought back from the wilderness or perhaps young Sammy Moore may be given a start.

Bates is having a scan, which will reveal the extent of his injury.

Town's head of sport science, Dave Williams, said: “It looks like a medial ligament injury but we will know more when we scan Matt's knee.

“It is too early to tell how long he will be out.”