JIM Magilton has warned his players to be prepared for a Bristol City backlash at Ashton Gate tonight.

By Derek Davis

JIM Magilton has warned his players to be prepared for a Bristol City backlash at Ashton Gate tonight.

The Blues boss knows the Robins will be smarting after being thrashed 6-0 by Town last month and after beating table-topping Watford on Saturday will now have Town in their sights.

Magilton said: “The chance for revenge has come round quickly and this gives them an opportunity. “Footballers don't like losing games and they certainly don't like losing by six so they will use that as motivation. We have to be prepared for that.”

Magilton accepts that while Ipswich played very well in that win, City were not as bad as the scoreline suggested and has respect for the way manager Gary Johnson conducted himself in defeat.

“On the day we were very good but rarely does it all come together like that on a day.

“But looking at the stats after the game it showed that City had more possession than we did and that tells me they have character.

“Gary Johnson was very dignified in defeat, I'm not sure I would have been that dignified, and even though he was hurting he said a lot of good things about us.

“They had a fantastic result at Watford on the weekend and will be on a high while we travel there disappointed after losing our winning record at home.”

Owen Garvan is back in Magilton's reckoning after being dropped for the goalless draw against Barnsley.

Magilton said: “Garvan has not been playing particularly well so I left him out but he comes back into the squad.”

Alan Lee was ill with a gastric bug over weekend but will be looked at this morning to see if he is fit to play tonight.

Squads - Ipswich Town: Alexander, Supple, Wright, Harding, Bruce, de Vos, Wilnis, Trotter, Legwinski, Garvan, Miller, Williams, Roberts, Clarke, Walters, Haynes, Lee, Counago.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, Fontaine, Sproule, Elliott, Johnson, McIndoe, Noble, Showunmi, Byfield, Trundle, Skuse, McAllister, Murray, Vasko, Weale.