Michael Clegg has been handed the chance to prove himself away from the pressures of playing for the biggest club in the world.

The Manchester United full-back, who joined Ipswich Town on a month's loan yesterday, is likely to go straight into the side for the visit to Crewe on Saturday.

Gary Croft, who was injured in last weekend's 2-1 win over promotion rivals Huddersfield, is out for around a month with a knee injury.

Now Clegg, a former England Under 21 international, has the chance to kick-start his career away from the Old Trafford spotlight.

Ipswich boss George Burley, who tried to sign the 22-year-old in December, said: "He's a great additon to the squad and he's someone we've had our eye on for some time.

"Manchester United are a huge club and he hasn't had the chances to show what he can do because they have so many players.

"But we like the look of him and, with Croft being out injured for the next few weeks, Michael will come in and give us a push at a vital stage of the season.

"We don't want to talk about him signing for us permanently because he has joined us on loan. He has only just arrived here and the most important thing was for us to get cover for Croft."

Meanwhile goalkeeper Richard Wright was expected to be named in Kevin Keegan's England squad for next week's friendly against Argentina.

Wright, 22, will link up with the side at England's Bisham Abbey training centre after the trip to Crewe on Saturday.

The funeral of Roy Stephenson, who won a First Division championship medal with Ipswich in the 1961-62 season, was held earlier today.

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