A NEW competitive streak within the Blues camp was very much in evidence when a seven-side game had to be called to a premature halt as it got 'a little bit lively.

Derek Davis

A NEW competitive streak within the Blues camp was very much in evidence when a seven-side game had to be called to a premature halt as it got 'a little bit lively.'

Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton has wanted to add bite to his squad and got his wish after bringing in five new signings in the window as highlighted in yesterday's training session ahead of today's championship clash at Sheffield Wednesday.

Magilton had to hobble out after kicking the underside of Sito Castro's boot and may need a scan to check he has not cracked a metatarsal.

The pain was worth it as he saw his first team's fighting spirit in a 'young' v 'old' short-sided game.

Magilton said: “There was a different feeling in training which was pretty lively. We had to call a halt to the seven-a-side as it got a bit tasty at times.

“But that is what I wanted, a good response like that.

“There may have been a feeling outside the club that bringing in so many players can have a detrimental effect but it has not worked that way.

“There is good feeling around the place with the group we have here. They like to think we are making moves in the right direction.”

The two new keepers Stephen Bywater and Nick Colgan were involved and Magilton spoke of his delight at landing someone to put pressure on his number one.

He said: “Nick is a fantastic signing for us. He has always been regarded within the game as a top class pro with a wealth of international experience.”

Town triumphed 4-1 against the Owls on the opening day of the season but Magilton warned that was not a fair reflection of the game and it will be harder at Hillsborough, although he still feels Town should not be fazed.

“We know Hillsborough is a difficult place to go but somewhere we should go and enjoy. They have a decent crowd and it is a fantastic stadium.

“Brian Laws has added to the squad and they are a good side.

“Ronnie Wallwork and Graham Kavanagh are very experienced players and we know all about Enoch Shownumi who did very well against us with Bristol City.

“We played well in patches in that game but they played well and the score flattered us a little.”

With Tommy Miller struggling with a dead leg, Liam Trotter is in the squad. David Norris is expected to make his debut, although he could play wide right meaning Danny Haynes could miss out.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, Boden, Bullen, Beevers, Hunds, Spurr, Johnson, Whelan, Wallwork, Small, Sodje, Tudgay, Wood, Gilbert, Burton, O'Brien.

Ipswich Town: Bywater, Colgan, Wright, Harding, Naylor, De Vos, Bruce, Wilnis, Trotter, Norris, Sumulikoski, Quinn, Garvan, Walters, Haynes, Counago, Bowditch, Lee.