IPSWICH have signed central defender Mark Fish on a month's loan from Charlton - and he will go straight into the starting line-up at QPR tomorrow night.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH have signed central defender Mark Fish on a month's loan from Charlton - and he will go straight into the starting line-up at QPR tomorrow night.

Fish, 31, is a South African international in the last year of his contract at The Valley but the Addicks have said he can move on a free transfer.

Town boss Joe Royle was initially keen to bring the player to Portman Road on trial, with a view to a permanent deal, but that move fell through when he picked up an injury in training last week that prevented him turning out in the friendly win at Colchester

But the fact that Jason De Vos cracked two ribs in Saturday's home win over Cardiff, and will be absent for two to four weeks, has forced Royle's hand.

He said: “I spoke to Charlton manager Alan Curbishley and he confirmed that Mark was fit and eager to play.”