Richard Naylor is putting off his knee operation until the summer in a bid to fire Ipswich into the Premiership.

The Town forward - who scored twice in the 3-0 win over Swindon at Portman Road - will go under the surgeon's knife at the end of the season.

Naylor, 22, plays in agony because of a knee injury and is unable to train for most of the week.

But after discussions with boss George Burley and knee specialists, he has decided to put off the operation until May.

The popular Yorkshireman will be unable to walk for around two weeks after the op but expects to recover in time for the beginning of next season.

Naylor, who scored his first goals for Town since October, revealed: "The specialists have told me it won't get any better but I have decided to wait until the summer before going in.

"My knees will not get any worse so it's just a case of resting in between matches and looking after myself until the summer.

"I don't want to miss any matches. I've got to have it done but I also want to play my part trying to get us promoted. We're on an excellent run at the moment and the whole club is buzzing because we know what the prize could be at the end of the season.

"Promotion is the one aim for this club and we're as confident as we've ever been that we're going to achieve it this season."

Town's win also saw a return to first-team action for Gary Croft, who came on as a late replacement for Mick Stockwell.

The Town defender, who played with an electronic tag around his ankle after his release from prison last week, was given a rousing reception by the Portman Road crowd.

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