BEATING Sheffield United at Bramall Lane tonight would be a fitting time for Ipswich Town to end their current away winless run.And Town skipper Jason De Vos hopes his side's attractive football can at last break that away-day hoodoo.

By Elvin King

BEATING Sheffield United at Bramall Lane tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) would be a fitting time for Ipswich Town to end their current away winless run.

And Town skipper Jason De Vos hopes his side's attractive football can at last break that away-day hoodoo.

While South American side Sao Paulo are in Yorkshire this week, footballing legend Pele will miss out on watching Town tonight, as he doesn't arrive until tomorrow, with his Sao Paulo Under-17's part of a tournament also involving the Blades, Manchester United and FC Porto.

Pele represents all that is good about football and Town skipper De Vos says Ipswich also play the game in the right spirit.

“While other clubs base their plans on keeping clean sheets, we go about things a different way,” said De Vos.

“We look to play attacking, attractive football, and our fans are being entertained at home.

“Failing to win away for 11 matches is not a major talking point in our dressing room, but we would like to break the duck.

“We have not had too many breaks on our travels, and have a stronger squad than last season.

“If we can couple home wins with away draws we will remain in the play-off chase.

“But by continuing our attacking principles and I feel an away win is just around the corner.”

De Vos, who says that he is now playing pain free thanks to having a 'new foot', does admit that he like to see less goals conceded.

He explained: “I would like us to become more difficult to play against and we are working on this.

“It is coming, but Rome wasn't built in a day.”

Excited by the future prospects of Ipswich Town because of the impending takeover by billionaire Marcus Evans, 33-year-old De Vos is relieved to have found a cure to a long-standing foot problem.

“Thanks to the club's medical staff who scoured the world to find me the right treatment it feels as though I now have a new foot,” added the former Canadian international.

“Last spring I was wondering whether I would be able to get through this season.

“But the operation was a huge success and unlike last season I am now pain free and am able to train normally.

“I have no thoughts about hanging up my boots, and with so many young players coming through I see it as part of my job to pass on my experience to them.”

And referring to the arrival of Evans, De Vos said: “It is all positive.

“Our fans will be speculating about who the manager will bring in with the extra money that will become available.

“The key thing is for Jim to aim for long term success - to add quality and build for the future.”

And commenting on the immediate future he said: “Playing two games in 48 hours is a big ask, but in a season of 46 games there are some weeks where you have to dig in.

“We are very fit and well conditioned with players chomping at the bit to come in.”