IPSWICH TOWN: Blues defender Damien Delaney will be a key player at the KC Stadium when the visitors look to get back to winning ways after consecutive home Championship defeats.

Delaney, 29, was in the Hull side that won back-to-back promotions in 2004 and 2005 during a five period with the Tigers.

He moved to Queens Park Rangers four months before Hull beat Bristol City in the Championship play-off final in 2008.

“People might say that maybe I was a little bit disappointed to miss out but making my Ireland debut in May 2008 more than made up for that,” said Delaney.

“I can remember being in our hotel in Dublin getting ready for the game.

“We’d all been told to go for a sleep on the afternoon and when I woke up at five o’clock I turned on the television to see Hull celebrating at Wembley.

“I was delighted for all the lads. I knew how hard they’d worked for it.

“There might have been a little part of me that was envious but playing for Ireland at Croke Park under a coach like Giovanni Trapottoni definitely made up for it!”

Delaney was signed by Peter Taylor in 2002 and appeared in the first game at the KC Stadium.

“When you start your career properly, like I did with Hull, that club is always going to hold special memories - they were great times.”

Delaney is sure Ipswich can bounce back and he has no concerns over the management of Roy Keane.

“When he has his say after games it ends with a laugh and a joke and he never holds it against you.

“We’re still chasing the carrot of a top six place and although we were all disappointed after the Barnsley game it’s no good worrying about it.

“We have to do something about it.

“I had a sleepless night analysing the game, probably over-analysing it, but you start a new week and get on with it.

“In sport, like in life, you are going to have ups and downs.

“It’s how you deal with the disappointments that count and for us, that means going to Hull and putting on a much better display than we gave against Barnsley.”

Daniel Ayala and Liam Rosenior are both doubtful for Hull and unlikely to feature. Paul McShane is fit again to replace Ayala with veteran Noberto Solano set to come in at right-back instead of Rosenior.

Craig Fagan, Caleb Folan and Jimmy Bullard will definitely not feature because of injury.

Today’s likely squads

Mannone, Rosenior, Solano, Gerrard, Dawson, Zayette, Ayala, Kilbane, Koren, Ashbee, Harper, Garcia, Barmby, Simpson, Bostock, Cooper, Duke, Cairney, Cullen, McShane, Halmosi.

Ipswich Town: Fulop, Murphy, Peters, Eastman, Brown, Delaney, Smith, O’Dea, O’Connor, Edwards, Leadbitter, Livermore, Colback, Townsend, Priskin, Scotland, Murray, Wickham, Griffiths, Norris, Civelli.

Referee: Mr A Haines (Tyne and Wear)