Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna reveals Sone Aluko could feature against Peterborough United as Lee Evans edges closer to return

Sone Aluko is back in contention for the Ipswich Town first-team ahead of Saturday's 12.30pm home clash with Peterborough United.

The 33-year-old picked up a serious knee injury in the Papa John's Trophy victory against Northampton Town in September and has been out of action since.

However, he is in line to return to the first-team after a week of training, manager Kieran McKenna has revealed.

"He's trained well and it is a big boost to have him back," said the Town boss ahead of the visit of Grant McCann's side.

"We've still got a session to go, but there is every chance he will be back in the squad and back on the pitch this weekend.

"We are short in those positions at the moment, which are I guess inside forwards and number 10 positions. They've been a massive part of how we play and without Marcus and without Tyreece we are certainly lighter in those areas. We felt that in the game last weekend in terms of not having options.

"So it's great to have a player back in those positions, and of course Sone brings qualities to those positions that not everybody has. His composure, his ability to take the ball in tight spaces, help us control games, help us break down teams who are deep. But also his aggression and pressing off the ball is excellent as well, so he brings us a lot."

Meanwhile, both Panutche Camara and Lee Evans are still suffering with their respective injuries, although the latter is edging closer to a return.

The former Plymouth midfielder is dealing with the groin injury he arrived at Portman Road with, while his Welsh counterpart is back on the grass.

McKenna added: "He (Panutche) is still suffering with his groin injury that he has had and isn't quite able to get over.

"We are investigating that and tracing back to the issue in the summer that he had surgery on before he arrived. It's still not a position that he is happy with so we are investigating that further.

"Lee is back on the grass and working hard, although he's not with the group yet. He's working well with the rehabilitation coaches."