ENGLAND defender and former Arsenal skipper Sol Campbell will play for the Gunners' second string at Portman Road on Monday against Ipswich Town reserves.

ENGLAND defender and former Arsenal skipper Sol Campbell will play for the Gunners' second string at Portman Road on Monday against Ipswich Town reserves.

Campbell, who has missed most of this year through injury, is hoping a full 90 minutes tonight against Ipswich will be enough to put him in contention for a place in Arsene Wenger's side which travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

His last senior game was as England captain in the summer trip to America but he only lasted until half-time in the 2-1 win over the USA, in Chicago.

The central defender has struggled with a series of injuries over the past year and has played just one Premiership game since February 1, and that the back in May when he was part of the Arsenal side that demolished Everton 7-0.

Campbell will be tested by Dean Bowditch as the young Blues striker looks to impress Joe Royle enough to make the senior side at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Jason De Vos is making good progress from his rib injury and hopes to be involved tonight but it is not certain.

He said: “It is not definite that I will play although I would like to. I will check with the physio and the medical staff before the game and be guided by them.

“Although I have been doing some training there has been no contact as yet and we have to be sure that there is no chance that one could break and puncture a lung.”

The reserves side will be decided today after the senior players enjoyed a rare weekend off. The under 18s kept their unbeaten run going with a 2-0 win at reading on Saturday, Daryl Knights and Ollie Fenn netting the first half goals in a good all round performance.

Russell Short made his young Blues league debut after signing from Cambridge United and Irish Under 18s international Billy Clarke played 75 minutes on his return from a serious knee injury.

The reserve game at Portman Road tonight kicks off at 7pm.

n Neither Town players on international duty at the weekend were called into action with Lewis Price staying on the bench as Wales lost 1-0 to England. He now travels with the Welsh to Poland.

Jaime Peters was an unused substitute in Canada's 2-1 loss in Spain, with former Blues trialist Sandor Grande scoring their consolation.