Strike duo will again be missing

Ebanks-Blake has been ruled out of Monday's trip to Derby, with the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last two games.

Boss Mick McCarthy had hoped the Championship's 24-goal top scorer would be fit for the Pride Park trip, after missing the 3-0 win over Southampton.

But the 23-year-old hit-man will again be under treatment, as hopes for his return in next Saturday's home clash with QPR.

Iwelumo, who was injured in last Monday's defeat at Birmingham, is a major doubt for the last four games.

McCarthy said: "Sylvan and Chris won't be fit. I'll have the same squad I had before Southampton – there won't be anyone else coming back.

"We'll hope and see if Chris is fit. There are three weeks left of the season and he's got retinacular damage, which apparently keeps all the ligaments together.

"He's got medial ligament damage and bone bruising, but he's a million miles better than we thought he would be.

"I live in 'hopeful street' so let's see if he'll be fit.

"Of course, he's an absolute doubt when you see it the tackle – it's amazing that he's got any chance."

McCarthy instead backed his 'shadow' strikeforce of Sam Vokes – who broke the deadlock after 39 seconds against the club he supported – and Andy Keogh, on a day when Marlon Harewood came off the bench.

The manager said: "Keogh and Vokes are a good partnership. They played so well together at Birmingham in the FA Cup and whenever they've played individually, they've played well.

"Whenever Sam has come in, he's done what's been required and he's a great young fellow.

"He works his socks off but Terry (Connor, assistant boss) is a great coach and has improved him a great deal.

"But he's been kept out by a 40-goal strikeforce. It's not like he could come banging on my door or chipping away at me, because Chris and Sylvan have kept him out.

"Sam has done well in the way he's been asked to play."

One plus for McCarthy yesterday was the return to the line-up of winger Matt Jarvis, who made his first start since February 22.

The boss added; "Jarvis got through the game and he's fine."