Town can go on a run - Burnley boss
BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle can see Ipswich Town going on a run in the final weeks of the Coca-Cola Championship.
Elvin King
BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle can see Ipswich Town going on a run in the final weeks of the Coca-Cola Championship.
He brings his side to Portman Road for a league fixture tonight (kick-off 7.45pm) knowing that both teams will be buoyed by recent results.
While Town kept clean sheets and pocketed four points in games at promotion-chasing Wolves and Reading, Burnley have claimed six points - and nine goals on two home games inside the last week.
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“For Ipswich do so well at Wolves and Reading shows their qualities,” said Coyle.
“They've got some terrific players and they've spent some decent money on some quality acquisitions.
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“They brought Dos Santos in on loan, so they're going to be a handful, there's no doubt about it.
“But we'll concentrate on what we can do and look to try to get our best team on the pitch. We will be positive and look to make a real game of it.
“Ipswich are very much in everybody's thoughts because we know they're a good side.
“They're capable of going on a run, but we have to concentrate on what we can do, stay on the run we're on and stay focused, and make sure we're delivering quality when and if we get the chance.”
This is a re-arranged game because of Burnley's involvement in the FA Cup 10 days ago, and Coyle added: “It's a game in hand that we've got over a couple of teams that are round about us, and we want to capitalise on that.
“There's no doubt Ipswich away is a difficult game at the best of times, never mind the fact they've been boosted by the last two results that have put them right back in the frame again.
“They are a quality side, but we've been threatening to score goals for quite some time.
“We have to kick on from our last two wins and take it into the Ipswich game - one in which we'll look to be positive and try to win.”
Steven Thompson is ruled out with ankle ligament damage after being carried off on a stretcher on Saturday. Jay Rodriguez, who replaced him on Saturday and scored a great goal in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest is set to be on the bench again.
Martin Paterson is set to play up front on his own after scoring two fine goals on his last visit to Portman Road for Scunthorpe last season.
Rhys Williams and Paterson haven't trained this week, but are likely to be okay after taking knocks. Teenager Alex MacDonald is recovering from tonsilitis and won't be involved.
Former Ipswich loanee Alan Mahon is tipped to be joining Blackpool until the end of the season on loan.
Tonight's likely teams
Ipswich Town: R Wright; D Wright, McAuley, Balkestein, Thatcher; Norris, Miller, Quinn, Civelli; Lisbie, Stead. Subs (from): Supple, Campo, Garvan, Giovani Dos Santos, Counago, Haynes, Bruce.
Burnley: Jensen; Williams, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes; Alexander; Eagles, Elliott, McCann, Blake; Paterson. Subs (from): Penny, Gudjonsson, McDonald, Akinbiyi, Duff, Jordan.
Referee: Mr R Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
