IPSWICH are praying a sickness bug will not claim further victims ahead of Sunday's visit to Brighton.Key defenders Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor are both suffering, while boss Joe Royle has already been confined to bed for a day.

IPSWICH are praying a sickness bug will not claim further victims ahead of Sunday's visit to Brighton.

Key defenders Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor are both suffering, while boss Joe Royle has already been confined to bed for a day.

In addition, Naylor is fighting to overcome the achilles problem that forced his withdrawal from last week's rampant 5-1 home win over Crewe.

Royle said: “Jason is really struggling. We haven't even seen him since last weekend and at this stage you would have to say he could miss out.

“Richard has improved and was hoping to train today, but we will just have to see if there is any reaction.”

See tonight's Evening Star for full story