Ipswich will again be without strike duo Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster for the trip to Southampton.

Parkin is continuing his recovery from a broken ankle and Forster is still sidelined after suffering a reaction to the cartilage operation he underwent earlier in the season and which has caused him to miss Town's last four games.

Fellow forward Adam Proudlock has returned to training but lacks match fitness, and with no fresh injury problems, manager Joe Royle could stick with the same team that held second-placed Sheffield United to a 1-1 draw at Portman Road last week.

Defender Darren Kenton should be available for Southampton after recovering from an ankle injury.

Kenton went over on the ankle in the warm-up ahead of last week's defeat by QPR and had to be replaced by David Prutton.

Chris Baird is also fit after a dead leg to give George Burley a dilemma at right-back, while Rory Delap (Achilles) is back in training.

Striker Marian Pahars (knee) could make the bench, meaning Saints' only absentees are Michael Svensson (knee) and young goalkeeper Michael Poke (wrist).