IPSWICH manager Joe Royle welcomed on-loan defender Matt Elliott to Portman Road today and raved: "He's a leader."The 35-year-old Leicester stalwart started his one-month loan spell as Royle checked on an ER-style treatment room before settling on his squad for tomorrow night's visit to Walsall.

IPSWICH manager Joe Royle welcomed on-loan defender Matt Elliott to Portman Road today and raved: "He's a leader."

The 35-year-old Leicester stalwart started his one-month loan spell as Royle checked on an ER-style treatment room before settling on his squad for tomorrow night's visit to Walsall.

Royle said: "At the moment I've got 11 names in front of me – a possible line-up – and three of them are forwards. It's the worst injury situation since I came to the club."

But at least the Ipswich manager could console himself that a three-week effort to land 6ft 3ins Elliott finally bore fruit.

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