Jim Magilton will miss the trip to former club Southampton after receiving a one-match ban from the FA.

The Ipswich Town midfielder was hauled before the authority yesterday charged with using abusive language to referee Andy D'Urso.

Magilton was infuriated by the official's decision to send off John McGreal and award Chelsea a penalty at the end of January's drubbing at Stamford Bridge.

In addition to being banned for the trip to The Dell on April 2, Magilton, who pleaded guilty at a personal hearing, was fined £5,000.

Meanwhile, boss George Burley is sweating on the fitness of Mark Venus ahead of tomorrow's visit to Aston Villa.

The defender suffered a groin injury on the eve of Sunday's triumph against Bradford City and has been unable to train this week.

If fit, however, he should return to the starting line-up as Titus Bramble is serving the first of a two-match ban.

Burley has no other new injury worries and only long-term casualties Richard Naylor, Gary Croft and John Scales are unavailable.

Marcus Stewart is still suspended after being sent-off against Leeds United.

Chris Makin, signed from Sunderland for £1.25 million on Wednesday, has been pitched straight into the squad for the trip to Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Nabil Abidallah has signed a new contract keeping him at Portman Road until 2004.

The teenager made his home debut against Everton and also appeared as a substitute on Sunday.

Burley said: "Nabil has pushed his way into the first-team squad after displaying some outstanding football for the reserves."

Ipswich's FA Premier Reserve League match with Nottingham Forest was postponed last night because of a waterlogged pitch at Portman Road.

The trip to Charlton Athletic, scheduled for Saturday, April 28 has been put back to Monday, April 30, for coverage by Sky TV.

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