SHANE Supple has picked up a groin strain to add to Ipswich Town's goalkeeping problems before tomorrow's game against promotion-chasing Derby at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm).

By Elvin King

SHANE Supple has picked up a groin strain to add to Ipswich Town's goalkeeping problems before tomorrow's game against promotion-chasing Derby at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm).

Lewis Price, who has played in all but one of the last 28 first team games, is still in pain after taking a kick on a foot during Monday's 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

One or the other will be fit enough to take his place, but if Supple misses out it will add to the heartbreak the 19-year-old has suffered this season.

After being named number one by manager Jim Magilton in the summer he has made just nine appearances.

Magilton said: “Both Lewis and Shane are struggling, which is a bit of a worry although I am sure knowing both, that at least one will declare himself fit.”

The Town boss was set to give Supple at least one game before the end of the season.

“Shane deserves a game,” said Magilton. “One of the main reasons why Lewis has done so well is because Shane has pushed him hard every day in training.

“Shane has a slight groin strain and is a bit sore, which is a shame because I know how much he wants to play.

“Lewis did some light training yesterday but his foot is more painful than he thought it would be. He will give him every opportunity to play on Saturday but we probably won't know until late on.”

Defender David Wright has been struggling with a virus this week and coupled with the recent loss of his father was given an extra day's rest yesterday.

Derby, second in the table, are unable to use Darren Currie, who is on loan from Town, but Jay McEveley is set to be included at left-back having been bought from Blackburn Rovers for £600,000.

McEveley was on loan with Ipswich last season before suffering an injury at Cardiff. Marc Edworthy should be okay to keep his place despite breaking his nose in the 1-1 draw with Coventry on Monday, and Dean Leacock, who missed that game because of illness should also be back.

Key defender Darren Moore, 32, is the subject of a disciplinary commission later today after being charged with violent conduct at Derby's Good Friday match with Leicester City.

If found guilty Moore could serve a four-match ban, which would start tomorrow and rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Moore has already been sent off this season. His manager Billy Davies said: “I have looked at the tape and under no circumstances can I see intentional violent conduct.

“Our preparation has been put on hold as doing work on set-pieces is now impossible until we hear the outcome of our appeal.”

Likely squads

Ipswich Town: Price, Supple, Wilnis, Bruce, De Vos, Wright, Harding, Peters, Garvan, Williams, Roberts, Lee, Walters, Jeffers, Haynes, O'Callaghan, Richards, Clarke, Miller, Sito.

Derby: Bywater, Mears, Edworthy, McEveley, Fagan, Oakley, Jones, Barnes, Howard, Lupoli, Bisgaard, Seth Johnson, Moore, Grant, Camara, Leacock.

Referee: Mr I Williamson (Berkshire).