JAN Poortvliet will turn to experience as Saints embark on two crucial games at home in the space of four days.

Veteran defender Chris Perry will return to the centre of defence, while Paul Wotton and Stern John could also feature in tonight’s clash with Ipswich.

Perry was left out of Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at QPR after Poortvliet opted for Ollie Lancashire’s pace to combat the hosts’ attack.

Lancashire was shown a straight red card in the loss and is suspended for tonight, as well as Saturday’s visit of Barnsley and next Tuesday’s Carling Cup trip to Rotherham.

The Saints head coach fielded a very young side against QPR and admitted he is keen to mix a few more experienced heads in now.

“Chris will play, that’s for sure,” he said.

“We knew QPR had a quick break out and that was my case to put Ollie in instead of Chris, because he is a little bit quicker and that was the only reason.

“Also I was very satisfied with the way Paul Wotton coped from going to the midfield to the back.

“Players like them know what the game is.

“They know everything about the game and they will push the young players and give them a lead in what to do sometimes.

“You need some of them in your team.

“The young players can do it, but they have to learn.”

Captain Michael Svensson will again not feature, as he is in Sweden for a scan on his troubled knee.

However, Poortvliet hopes he will be available this weekend.

“Michael is at the moment in Sweden having a scan and looking at what he can do,” he said.

“On Monday he trained with us and looked good and hopefully he will be there on Saturday.”

David McGoldrick is set to drop back into the role behind the striker, or be moved onto the right, by Poortvliet.

John or Tomas Pekhart, who made his debut as a second half substitute on Sunday, will start in the lone striker position.

“Tomas came on for 20 minutes and did a good job,” he said. “Don’t forget Stern, because last year he made a lot of goals and he will do it again.

“Stern, in the coming weeks or against Ipswich, we’re going to need him and Tomas the same.

“Certainly we will play with a centre forward (tonight) and hopefully he is going to score.

“David is also a centre forward, but when he comes from the right or behind we have more scoring possibilities.”