Ipswich Town will play on their new pitch at Portman Road for the first time tomorrow night - and, as these pictures show, it's looking good.

Town's squad trained on the new surface this morning, ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Bristol Rovers tomorrow night (7.45pm).

The pitch has been installed as part of an ongoing schedule of upgrades at Town's famous old home, with the project costing 'millions of pounds.'

Undersoil heating and high-draining sand has been installed below a modern hybrid surface (a combination of natural and artificial grass) and served by a new sprinkler and irrigation system. Blue astro-turf now surrounds the pitch too.

Speaking back in March, Town CEO Mark Ashton said: "It's fundamental that we have a pitch that can sustain the style of play that Kieran (McKenna) wants from his team.

"This is a huge investment. We are talking millions and millions of pounds. But it's a forever investment.

"We couldn't do this without the ownership group. They have stood right behind the plan and we can't thank them enough for that."

East Anglian Daily Times: The new Portman Road pitch before training this morningThe new Portman Road pitch before training this morning (Image: Ross Halls)

Town's head groundsman Ben Connell added: "The pitch we have now is from the 1930s and it underwent a partial reconstruction in the 1970s, so that's a long, long time ago.

"It's going to be a busy summer."

Because of the work on the pitch, Town requested an away game to start the season and give the surface the maximum amount of time to bed in.

Of course, they duly started their campaign at Sunderland on Sunday, and won 2-1.

After tomorrow night's cup clash, the Blues host Stoke City on Saturday for their first home game in the Championship since the 2018/19 season.  

Asked at the press conference earlier about training on the pitch, midfielder Lee Evans said: "The manager just wants us to get used to it. You don’t want it to be the first time you’ve stepped on it on Wednesday night.

"It’s nice to get used to the pitch, the new surrounding areas as well and just get a feel for it again before the competitive action."