IPSWICH TOWN: Getting to the last eight of the Carling Cup has been a labour of love for the Blues.

Getting beyond four rounds to become the only side outside the Premier League left in the competition has failed to increase the club’s bank balance.

Ipswich have been drawn at home to Premier League West Brom in a quarter-final to be played on either November 30 or December 1.

Hopes that Town’s best cup run in a decade would line manager Roy Keane’s pockets and give him more cash to splash when the transfer window opens in January have been dashed.

Apart from a share of the gate money Town have made nothing so far, and with games at Exeter, Crewe and Millwall attracting small attendances and the home win over Northampton less than 13,000 this has amounted to very little.

Terry Baxter, director of communications at Portman Road, confirmed: “It would be fair to say that our run hasn’t had a significant impact financially.

“But this could still happen with the quarter-final and hopefully more to come.”

Unlike Football Association competitions like the FA Cup there is no prize money until the semi-finals for the Carling Cup, which is run by the football League.

Losing semi-finalists do receive �25,000 and the losing finalist �50,000. The winners take home �100,000, which is roughly half Wayne Rooney’s weekly wage!

Town have yet to appear in a live televised game so have missed out on this possible cash bonanza.

Facility fees for TV games from round three to the quarter-finals is �175,000, for the semi-finals �200,000 and �250,000 for the final.

Town defender Gareth McAuley is relishing the game. He said: “They won’t fancy coming here for a midweek game under lights.

“It should be a great atmosphere and we have got to believe the tie is winnable.

“We’ll be right up for it. They are doing well but it took a last minute equaliser to stop us beating them last season.

“It‘s a big ask, but it’ll be what happens on the night.“