Ipswich v Middlesbrough preview

McDonald: Set for debut

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Both Ipswich and Middlesbrough are ready to field a number of debutants on Saturday.

Ipswich brought in Sunderland duo David Healy and Daryl Murphy on transfer deadline day, whilst Boro added Lee Miller and Scott McDonald.

All four new signings look set to start the match at Portman Road.

The match is also the first time Roy Keane and Gordon Strachan have been involved in a game against each other since the pair were together at Celtic.

Town will have changes to make, but captain Jon Walters continues to be ruled out by a hamstring injury and is joined on the sidelines by goalkeepers Richard Wright and Brian Murphy.

Wright has stepped up his comeback from a knee injury and could be available by March while Murphy could be available to make his debut in the next few weeks after injuring his ankle.

Winger Luciano Civelli will not be available until next season as his troubled recovery from a serious knee injury continues.

Middlesbrough news

For Boro, McDonald and Miller could be joined by two further debutants with Kyle Naughton and Stephen McManus set to come into the starting line-up.

Barry Robson is suspended for Boro after his sending-off last week and Julio Arca looks set to come in for him with Isaiah Osbourne now back at Aston Villa after being recalled.

Chris Riggott, Emanuel Pogatetz (both hamstring), Jeremie Aliadiere (ankle) and Rhys Williams (pelvic injury) are all still out, while Seb Hines (ankle and knee ligament) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) remain on the long-term casualty list.