George Burley has spoken of his regret at being without Sixto Peralta for tomorrow's Premiership duel with Sunderland.

The Ipswich Town midfielder misses out after injuring his foot in the Boxing Day success against Leicester.

Peralta scored his first goal for the Blues in that 2-0 win but ended the afternoon in disappointment after being replaced by Jim Magilton.

He was taken to hospital for a precautionary X-ray and, although that has revealed no fracture, tomorrow's clash has come to soon because of bruising and swelling.

Town boss Burley said: "I'm disappointed to be without Sixto. His contribution to our last win was self-evident and it's a great shame for the boy to not be able to follow on a successive match against Sunderland."

Magilton and Jermaine Wright will be competing for a midfield berth in Peralta's absence.

Fellow central midfielder Matt Holland is a doubt with a foot injury, but he will have a late fitness test and looks likely to be available.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game, Burley added: "We're looking forward to this match but there's no doubt it'll be a very tough one.

"To approach the match with two wins on the trot is encouraging, though."

Published Friday December 28, 2001