Team news

Delaney out for the season Ipswich will be without defender Damien Delaney for the visit of Doncaster.

Delaney limped out of the 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend with an ankle injury and the Republic of Ireland international has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Youngster Tommy Smith is favourite to take his place in central defence as the 20-year-old looks to cement his place in the New Zealand World Cup squad.

Teenager Connor Wickham has started the last two games and will hope to keep his place in the starting line-up as manager Roy Keane looks for a return to winning ways.

Goalkeeper Richard Wright has been out since injuring his knee in November and Keane remains without winger Luciano Civelli, who is out until September as he battles to save his career following a serious knee injury.

Doncaster skipper Brian Stock could be included in the squad for the first time since February.

Midfielder Stock has been sidelined with a back injury that has restricted him to just 18 appearances this season. But he has shown no reaction since returning to full training last week and is available.

James Coppinger is also expected to return after missing the defeat to West Brom with an ankle injury sustained last Friday.

But manager Sean O'Driscoll will be without another midfielder, Martin Woods, who will miss the rest of the season after being pencilled in for surgery on his groin next week.

James Hayter is fit despite hurting his arm during a collision with a goalpost against West Brom and is expected to continue his partnership with Paul Heffernan up front as Billy Sharp is ruled out with a torn thigh muscle.

Doncaster will be looking to halt their recent slide down the table after three straight defeats with their first win of the month.

Ipswich vs Doncaster

Last modified 16:19 20/04/10

Rovers fight back for share of spoils Ipswich and Doncaster shared a point apiece in a low-key 1-1 draw in the Coca-Cola Championship at Portman Road.

It was a drab affair that seemed destined for a goalless draw for much of the game until Connor Wickham capitalised on some poor Doncaster defending to put Ipswich ahead with 18 minutes remaining.

But the home side's lead did not last long as Doncaster earned a point when Dean Shiels converted a penalty he had earned in the final 10 minutes.

The draw sees Roy Keane`s extend their impressive home form which now reads at just one defeat in their last 17 games, though it is a result that typifies Ipswich`s season as they register their 11th draw on home soil this term.

Doncaster's point sees them end a run of three successive defeats and although a play-off push has fallen by the way side in recent weeks, the prospect of a top-half finish will serve as motivation for Sean O'Driscoll's side in the remaining matches.

With both sides facing the prospect of a mid-table finish in this dead rubber, a classic was never on the cards and it was a quiet start with little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening 15 minutes.

It was perhaps Doncaster that looked the more threatening with Arsenal loanee Jay Emmanuel-Thomas looking dangerous, though they were restricted to long-range efforts, with Gareth Roberts seeing his low effort well held by Brian Murphy.

O`Driscoll`s men could not build on their momentum, though, and although they controlled possession they failed to test Murphy again.

Ipswich offered very little as an attacking force in a stale first-half showing, with Wickham`s turn and shot that went over the bar the only moment of note for them.

The half-time whistle could not come soon enough for the supporters at a sun-drenched Portman Road but the start of the second period was not much better viewing as both sides again were off the pace.

Eventually Ipswich stirred, beginning to play with purpose and Wickham missed a golden chance break the deadlock, but he headed wide from six yards out, though his blushes were spared by the linesman, who raised his flag in any case.

But the Ipswich momentum continued and they took the lead in the 72nd minute through Wickham with what was a real opportunist`s finish.

The Doncaster defence dawdled on the ball, wasting the opportunity to clear and Wickham sneaked in to take possession before finishing coolly past Neil Sullivan.

It was a goal Wickham had deserved for his endeavour and was his fifth of the season.

But Ipswich`s lead lasted just 11 minutes as Rovers equalised from the penalty spot after O`Connor had shoved Shiels and the Doncaster striker sent Murphy the wrong way from the spot.