Kuqi sidelined for extended spell

Scowcroft heads back to Ipswich Ipswich 2-1 Leicester

Ipswich striker Shefki Kuqi will be out for longer than first anticipated after sustaining an injury during the 2-1 win over Leicester on Saturday.

With Kuqi facing more than a month out following surgery to clean out a wound above his knee, Leicester's James Scowcroft has joined the club on loan.

Town boss Royle told the club website: "He's got a puncture wound and there will be muscle damage after surgery.

"So we're looking at him being out for at least a month, probably longer."

Kuqi headed Town in front after two minutes but was carried off just before half-time with a deep stud wound in the upper part of his leg.

Despite having Dean Bowditch and Pablo Counago available, Royle decided to move into the transfer market for Scowcroft

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He added: "We thought Shefki would be out for three to four weeks but it looks as though it'll be longer than that.

"With Shefki out, we knew we had to bring someone in to fill that role and it's no secret that we have been interested in James for a while.