Central defender Ibrahima Sonko is over his dislocated rib and is available for selection for Saturday’s game at Brighton. The Senegalese international suffered the injury in the abandoned game against Middlesbrough and has missed the last two matches.

Boss Paul Jewell says that even with the 31-year-old returning, he’ll still be looking for reinforcements: “Sonko’s fit, he’s made a terrific recovery from his dislocated rib.

"We are looking [at loan signings] in all areas between now and the end of the season to improve the squad.

“We have been very light on centre-backs and the two left-sided centre-backs have done terrifically well, but we are short in certain areas.”

The Town manager says Sonko is in with a shout at a return to the side and that he has decided on his starting line-up: “He’s got a chance [of being involved on Saturday]. He’s trained all week, so he’s fit and, touch wood, as we sit here on Thursday afternoon, we’ve got no injuries.

“Every decision you make is big decision, whether that’s to change the team or not to change the team. No decision is every made without any thought.

"The decision [on the starting XI] has been made. If everyone’s fit, I know what the team is going to be.”

After helping to keep two clean sheets in two games, dropping either Tommy Smith or Damien Delaney would seem harsh and Sonko would appear likely to be amongst the subs.

Also back in the fold is Lee Bowyer, who is over his groin problem: “We had a practice match on Tuesday, Lee played 80 minutes of that and he’s trained.”

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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