Ipswich v Middlesbrough: They may have been elsewhere at the weekend, but both manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans kept close to action.

While McCarthy was watching the game from his sick bed, Evans, who was also absent, managed to grab a word with two-goal hero Tommy Smith, after the game.

Smith had just collected his man-of-the-match award from the sponsors’ lounge when he was handed a mobile phone by chief executive Simon Clegg, who had been in conversation with Evans.

“He was just passing on his congratulations really and saying he was sorry he could not make it,” said Smith.

“It was a nice touch, I really appreciate it.”