IPSWICH trialist Sammy Youssouf is heading back to Maritimo.But Town boss Joe Royle is refusing to rule out a move to bring the 29-year-old Danish striker to Portman Road on a permanent basis.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH trialist Sammy Youssouf is heading back to Maritimo.

But Town boss Joe Royle is refusing to rule out a move to bring the 29-year-old Danish striker to Portman Road on a permanent basis.

Youssouf will return tomorrow after Royle and his backroom staff were impressed with what they saw of him in training.

Because he is contracted to Maritimo he cannot play in the reserve game against Portsmouth this evening.

Royle said: “It would have been good to have been able to take a look at Sammy in a game but that just isn't possible.

“He is going back tomorrow but I have told him and his agent that at this stage we are not saying no.

“We could have him back for a further look but we also have other trialists to look at in the weeks ahead, so the situation is on hold for now.”

Royle's plan is to run his eye over several players between now and January 1, when the transfer window re-opens, so that he is ready to make his move straight away.

Meanwhile, midfield pair Ian Westlake and Owen Garvan have a chance tonight to play their way into the first team line-up at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

Both will play in the Town reserve side that heads for the south coast and a game that is being staged at non-league Havant and Waterlooville, kick-off 7pm.

Royle added: “Both Ian and Owen are very much in my mind for Hillsborough at the weekend.

“Ian was almost there a few weeks ago and then he got injured in a reserve game at Charlton, which set him back again. He just needs games and there's no doubt we miss his power.

“Owen has missed a lot of games now but we saw what he could do when he made a super start to the season, coming into a side that wasn't always playing that well.”

Billy Clarke, who has just turned 18 and made his first senior start in the 2-2 home draw with QPR at the weekend, is also in the reserve squad.

But 17-year-old Danny Haynes, who snatched a last-gasp equaliser against Rangers with his first senior goal, has been excluded.

This suggests that Royle is considering the London-born youngster for a full debut at Hillsborough, although Dean Bowditch is expected to train tomorrow after being absent on Saturday due to an Achilles problem.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Kevin Horlock is ruled out of the trip to Yorkshire because of a persistent knee problem.

Royle said: “Kevin might need an injection to help him along but we are hopeful he will be fine for the busy programme over Christmas and New Year.

“Richard Naylor has also trained without any difficulties after he hurt his hand against QPR. He will be OK for Hillsborough.”

On-loan striker Adam Proudlock is also struggling with a knee injury, but he is automatically ruled out of Saturday's game because of an agreement between the two clubs when he quit the Owls to try his luck at Portman Road.

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