Ipswich boss George Burley has refused to be drawn on whether new signing Fabian Wilnis will start Saturday's home clash with Grimsby Town.

The Dutch defender has been added to an unchanged squad after signing in a £200,000 deal on Tuesday and playing in a reserve match against Portsmouth 24 hours later.

But Burley was due to see how Wilnis shaped up in training today before deciding whether to throw him straight in for his debut.

Burley said: "He has had two-and-a-half weeks off because of the Dutch winter break so we will gauge his fitness and see what he is like for Saturday."

Wilnis's inclusion could be speeded up with injured Micky Stockwell still two weeks away from full training and Jason Cundy likely to be out even longer.

Striker James Scowcroft sees a specialist next week about his broken collarbone, with David Johnson - just back from a cartilage operation - expected to continue his partnership with in-form Richard Naylor.

Midfielder Matt Holland jarred his knee during the Boxing Day win over Portsmouth but has trained since and should start.

Burley knows another three points are vital in Town's first league game of 1999, but doesn't expect Grimsby to roll over easily.

He said: "Grimsby have surprised a lot of people this season. They are right up there with the leaders so it is going to be tough. But we are in second position and we have got to look to try and stay there."

Burley singled out strikers Jack Lester and Lee Nogan as dangermen and added: "They like to get the ball down and pass it about so you can see it being an entertaining game for the fans."

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