WHILE changes will understandably be made tonight as Ipswich Town take on Wigan in the League Cup, Jim Magilton insists he is still keen to win.

Derek Davis

WHILE changes will understandably be made tonight as Ipswich Town take on Wigan in the League Cup, Jim Magilton insists he is still keen to win.

The Blues boss not only wants top progress in a competition where reaching Wembley is a realistic prospect but knows by taking a Premier League scalp it will help in the chase for promotion.

Magilton said: “I'm not understating the importance of the game, but we have different priorities although the aim of the age is to keep winning and building confidence.

“Our aspirations this year are to finishing as high we can in the league, while I'm sure Wigan will have ambition of going all the way in the Carling Cup.

“We are going to try and win the game because we have an opportunity to beat a Premier League side and that would be a massive scalp for us.

“Wigan understand that and it is a potential banana skin for them.

“It is a break from the league and game the players can look forward to and enjoy. It gives the players the opportunity to compete against a really good Premier League side.”

While Magilton would love to lead Town out at Wembley, he is not going to get carried away if they win tonight, although a decent draw in the next round could mean a relatively easy passage or a big pay-day depending who they get.

He said: “Many Premier League clubs will knock each other out in this round so it is an opportunity for both clubs and we go into the match at home as underdogs for the first time.

“It is a potential money-spinner and it would be fantastic to go all the way but I'm a realist.”

With Pablo Counago injured and Jon Stead suspended Danny Haynes and Dean Bowditch will be involved, while Alex Bruce will replaced the rested Richard Naylor at the back as the Magilton makes inevitable changes.

He said: “Morale in the squad is such that I want to keep everyone believing in the squad being competitive.

“It gives me an opportunity to give one or two a game and rest those who I feel need a rest.

“I want the lads on the periphery of the squad to believe they are going to get an opportunity to play because competition is only important when it is competitive.”

While he is looking to pit his wits once more against Bruce, who he has a won one drawn one, record against so far, Magilton expressed his admiration for the former Manchester United star who also happens to be one of his defenders' dad.

He said: “Steve Bruce is one of the most down to earth managers I know. If I ever felt I needed a bit of advice he would be high on the list of people I would call.

“He often asks about Alex and I think he likes the way we go about our business with Alex.

“It must be really difficult when you are watching your boy, even harder if you are at the same club.”

Ipswich Town: R Wright, Supple, Volz, D Wright, Thatcher, McAuley, Balkestein, Naylor, Haynes, Walters, Miller, Campo, Garvan, Shumulikoski, Quinn, Bowditch, Walters, Lisbie.

Wigan: Kirkland, Kingson, Pollitt, Figueroa, Boyce, Bramble, Taylor, Melchiot, Valencia, Scharner, Cattermole, Kilbane, Brown, Kapo, De Ridder, Cywka, Palacios, Koumas, Heskey, Camara.