TOM BLOW FOR TOWN

IPSWICH Town have suffered a major blow with the news that influential centre-back Tommy Smith could be out of action for three months.

The 26-year-old New Zealand international, who came through the Town ranks, requires a back operation to cure a disc problem.

“We’re going to miss Tom,” Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy told BBC

Radio Suffolk. “He’s been excellent in the games he’s played so it’s sad for him.”