Now may not be a bad time for Ipswich Town to face Leeds United.

So says Jermaine Wright, the midfielder who played for both clubs, ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash at Portman Road.

Leeds may have beaten table-toppers Derby 2-0 at Elland Road last weekend, but their off-field soap opera took another twist on Monday when the Football League announced that controversial owner Massimo Cellino had failed their ‘fit and proper persons’ test.

“There’s no point sitting on the fence, what’s going on there seems to be a bit of a shambles,” said Wright. “I certainly don’t know what’s going on, I don’t think the fans do and I’d be surprised if the players even do.

“I played there for a couple of seasons and it’s fair to say their fans don’t hold back.

“When the going is good then it creates an incredible atmosphere, but at the same time – when they are restless – it makes it difficult for the players.

“This might not be a bad time for Ipswich to face them. To be honest, regardless of that, they’ll fancy their chances against anyone at present.

“Winning becomes a habit and everyone will be walking onto that pitch feeling seven feet tall.

“They’ll be going out there expecting to win.”

Wright, who made close to 200 appearances for the Blues, helping them to promotion in 2000, has kept a close eye on the Suffolk club’s rise to second in the table.

The 39-year-old, who now works as a high-end car salesman in London, said: “Ipswich are the team I always look out for first because I had the best years of my career there.

“I still speak to a few people within the club, I played with David McGoldrick at Southampton, and they are all telling me how good the atmosphere is and how everyone is playing for each other and the manager.

“It was the same when we went up. We all knew each others’ jobs and each others’ limits. We built good partnerships all over the pitch, believed in each other and achieved because we were a team – not just a set of individuals.

“I’m delighted for the fans because they’ve had to wait a long time for something to shout about. I’m sure there will be plenty more twists and turns so the main thing is that everyone sticks together.”