IPSWICH Town first team coach Bryan Klug is recognised as having an astute football brain, and he sums up his team as being middle of the road.He will be trying to work some magic on the bench tonight when the Blues play their game in hand against Leicester City at Portman Road (kick-off 7.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town first team coach Bryan Klug is recognised as having an astute football brain, and he sums up his team as being middle of the road.

He will be trying to work some magic on the bench tonight when the Blues play their game in hand against Leicester City at Portman Road (kick-off 7.45pm).

A win will restore belief that Ipswich can be in the top four by Christmas with two more home matches to follow.

A defeat will raise a serious question mark over Town's ability to stay in touch with the Coca-Cola Championship promotion contenders.

Klug said: “Our home form suggests that we are a good team. Our away form suggests we are a poor team.

“Somewhere in-between is nearer the truth.”

Klug says that in his 20 years with Ipswich he has not seen a much poorer display than in the first half of Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Charlton.

“In the second half though we were magnificent,” added Klug, who ran the Town academy before moving up to assist manager Jim Magilton at the start of last season.

“We know we have work to do to improve away, and anxiety can creep in and drain confidence.

“But for the time being we have to concentrate on our home form, and nine points from our three up-coming home matches will make a massive difference.

“Leicester murdered us away last season and beat us with two goals from set pieces in the return at Portman Road.

“Their new manager Ian Holloway will make sure they are fully motivated for this one.”

Jon Walters suffered a dead leg at Charlton, but should be okay, and antibiotics have cleared up Gavin Williams' infected toe. Fabian Wilnis has recovered from a virus.

Gary Roberts is serving a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards, while Alex Bruce is still out with a groin problem.

“The manager talked about letting players go after the Charlton defeat, but immediately after games is not the best time to assess performances,” said Klug.

“Liam Trotter and Sito Castro will both be in our thoughts for a start and young striker Jordan Rhodes is not far away from a squad place.”

Sito, whose contract expires in the summer, made his 50th Town appearance at Charlton.