Ipswich Town manager Gary O’Neil is confident midfielder Sasa Lukic will be available for next Friday’s home game against Nottingham Forest.

The Serbian international missed yesterday’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester City with a groin injury – the first time he has not been involved in a matchday squad since joining the Tractor Boys from Fulham in the summer.

However, O’Neil is not expecting Lukic to be sidelined for too long, with the visit of Forest to Portman Road a likely return date.

The Town boss said: “Slight groin, will be fine for next week. It was important today that we didn’t take any unnecessary risks with him.

“I’m sure he would have loved to have been out there with us, but he’s feeling his groin a little bit.

“He’s expected back on the grass in the early part of this week, probably Monday, and we expect to see him with us on Friday against Nottingham Forest.”