Defender Ibrahima Sonko and winger Lee Martin are doubts ahead of Saturday’s trip to take on Tony Mowbray's Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Sonko hurt knee ligaments during Monday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry, while Martin has been suffering with tonsillitis.

Town manager Paul Jewell said: “Sonko got a block in on Monday and he’s jarred his knee a little bit and we’ll have to see how he is for the weekend. We’ll make a decision on that as late as possible.

“He tried to carry on but it wasn’t a knock he could run off. He’s a big strong lad as everybody knows but sometimes it doesn’t matter how strong you are, you can’t run them off.”

Sonko’s obvious replacement Ívar Ingimarsson is back from his thigh injury and making progress: “Ívar played in the reserves, I think that was the second reserve game he’s had.

“He’s getting stronger each and every day but it’s game time that he needs now. If people are fit and healthy they will be considered.

“Damien Delaney came on the other night and did very well, so there are a few players who think they should be in the team.”

The Blues boss says there are no new injury concerns: “Mark Kennedy’s not fit, he’s still got a bit of a calf strain, but everybody else is OK.”

Midfielder Lee Martin is back after his three-match ban for his red card at Peterborough — and long returned from his stint training with the U18s - but has been under the weather for the last couple of days: “Lee’s been training with the first team for the last three weeks but he’s had tonsillitis this week, so I don’t know whether he’s going to be available for selection.

“But he’s trained very well and, like all players, if they train well and knuckle down, will be considered.”

Jewell says there will be no more loan moves in or out before the weekend.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

Southampton Polls