IPSWICH Town technical skills coach Steve Foley insists it is an advantage for the Blues to be playing six of the top seven Championship sides in their final half a dozen away matches.

Nick Garnham

IPSWICH Town technical skills coach Steve Foley insists it is an advantage for the Blues to be playing six of the top seven Championship sides in their final half a dozen away matches.

Tenth-placed Tractor Boys kick-off this on-paper daunting prospect with a visit to sixth-placed Preston North End tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

And they follow this up with trips to Wolverhampton, Reading, Sheffield United, Bristol City and Cardiff City.

“Preston will be a good scalp for us,” said Foley. “And in six pointers like this there will be no danger of any complacency setting in.

“We know we will have to be at our best to get a result.

“On our trips to teams like Doncaster - with respect - this season perhaps there may have been some complacency.

“It will not happen again, and we should benefit from our extra sharpness. And with a win we will peg all our opponents back as well.”

A win for Preston will put them six points ahead of Town, while three points for Ipswich will see them move above their Lancashire rivals.

Foley, who has previously worked for Colchester United and Norwich City, says that Town are now beginning to reap the rewards of progress that has been made over the last 14 months.

“We had an influx of new players following the takeover of the club by Marcus Evans,” said Foley. “And it takes time to bed them in.

“It sounds like an excuse, but it is not. You do need time - the more time the better a group will play.

“When I was at Colchester we had a succession of managers in a short space of time - and the club went backwards.”

And Foley is backing new signing Luciano Civelli to do well in English football.

Renowned for his ready wit Foley was pleased to find out that the Argentinean also has a sense of humour.

“Luca has settled in well,” added Foley. “His attitude is great and it is a rather nice surprise that he has adapted so well. He adds balance to the side, and I am pleased for him.”

Birmingham are the only one of the top seven sides Ipswich have visited so far. In contrast they have only one side currently above them to entertain at Portman Road - Burnley.

But jinx team Watford are still to visit and it will be a tricky fixture against what is likely to be a desperate Norwich City.

And Doncaster, Southampton and Blackpool have all won five away matches in the league.

Ben Thatcher injured his foot in training this week and is being assessed while Moritz Volz is in the squad along with Shane Supple, who will not be allowed to be loaned to Grimsby until a suitable replacement keeper has been found.

Ivan Campo trained normally yesterday after recovering from a calf tear but will need games while Danny Haynes (hamstring) could be back in contention for Tuesday's home match against Southampton.