George Burley is hopeful injury-plagued striker Richard Naylor will be back in action before the New Year.

The Ipswich Town boss on Thursday played down fears of a long-term lay-off and said Naylor, who visited a specialist on Monday, might even be available before the hectic festive period.

Burley said: "It's just a little hairline fracture above the knee. In a way it's a relief for us that the injury is unrelated to the problems Richard has had in the past with his knees.

"It's important to keep things like this in perspective. The original diagnosis was that he might be out for a month and I still expect that to be the case."

Naylor underwent surgery to clear up tendonitis in both knees shortly after scoring in the play-off final triumph against Barnsley.

He returned to action when Arsenal visited Portman Road in September and then enjoyed a run in the starting line-up, scoring his only goal in the top flight against Middlesbrough.

Burley - already without Richard Wright (swollen wrist) - is sweating on Matt Holland's fitness ahead of the weekend clash with Derby County.

The Town skipper injured his left ankle against Coventry City on Tuesday and has been rated doubtful for the showdown at Portman Road.

Ipswich face another trip to Manchester City next month in the quarter-finals of the Worthington Cup.

Joe Royle's troops edged past Wimbledon 2-1 on Wednesday night to set up an encounter with Town on either Tuesday or Wednesday, December 12 or 13.

Burley said: "Obviously we would have liked to be drawn at home but we know there are no easy games at this stage of the competition."

In the other matches Liverpool entertain Fulham while Crystal Palace play host to Sunderland. Town would meet the winners of Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday should they make the semi-finals.

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