Brighton v Ipswich: Chris Hutchings insists Town have nothing to fear from tonight’s trip to Championship league leaders Brighton.

Ipswich start the match as big underdogs having only registered one win in their first eight league matches.

But Town’s assistant manager, an optimist by nature, believes Paul Jewell’s men should relish the opportunity at the Amex Stadium (7.45pm ko).

Ahead of tonight’s match, and then the visit of current second-place Cardiff City to Portman Road on Saturday, Hutchings said: “They are great games.

“It is just how the fixture list comes out, but you want to play the best teams.

I don’t think it matters whether we are home or away – in this league, everyone beats everyone. “It’s a football pitch, there are goals at the end of it, you have to be mentally focused and do your jobs right.

“If you don’t, you will probably get beat. It is about everyone coming together to try and get three points.”

Town hope to have Michael Chopra back leading the line while there will be a late decision on Luke Hyam.

The Seagulls have their own injury worries with leading scorer Craig Mackail-Smith definitely out and doubts over two of the club’s five Spanish stars, Bruno and Andrea Orlandi.

Hutchings paid a glowing tribute to Gus Poyet and former Town favourite Mauricio Taricco amid growing optimism of a promotion push on the south coast.

The Town number two said: “Mauricio Taricco was a really good player who had a good career at Ipswich.

“The reception he got at Portman Road last year just shows what a popular player he was.

“Him and Gus have done a great job down at Brighton when you think about how far they have taken the club.

“It is a new ground and they are playing a brand of football that suits them and is very appealing on the eye.

“They have been very successful. We know it will be a tough game but it is one we are looking forward to.”