Boro could field some young blood at Portman Road tonight as a mini end of season injury crisis hits the club. Nine first team players are almost certain to miss the game.
They are Alen Boksic (groin), Jonathan Greening (calf), Ugo Ehiogu (hamstring), Robbie Mustoe (Achilles), Dean Windass (knee), Phil Stamp (calf), Gianluca Festa (groin), Noel Whelan (hamstring) and Mark Wilson (hamstring).
As well as Luke Wilkshire and Mark Hudson, who have featured already this season McClaren has drafted in defenders Brian Close and Stuart Parnaby, both 19, together with 17-year-old striker Stewart Downing.
Close is a Northern Ireland Under-21 international, while both Parnaby and Downing have represented England at U19 level.
Colin Cooper will make an emotional return for Festa at the back and Michael Debeve will replace Mustoe in midfield. Szilard Nemeth will probably get the nod to partner Benito Carbone but Boro boss Steve McClaren could also use Carlos Marinelli.
It is unlikely that Hudson, Close, Parnaby or Downing will start the match but there is every chance that one or two of them could feature at some stage.
Ipswich must take three points off Boro if they are to catch the Mackem's and survive in the Premiership. Of course we all want Boro to win every game but oh what a shame it would be if Ipswich did beat us, and then went on to pip the Mackem's.
It would still be a tall order if they beat us, they would be just two points behind the Mackem's with two games remaining. Two draws would be enough if the Mackem's lost both of their games, or one win and hope that the Mackem's do no better than one draw.
Ipswich only have Manchester United at home this Saturday and then Liverpool away on the final day of the season, while the Mackem's have Charlton away on Saturday and Derby at home on the final day of the season.