NORWICH City assistant manager Ian Butterworth is certain Ipswich Town will be fired up for Sunday's Coca-Cola Championship derby at Portman Road.

Elvin King

By ELVIN KING

NORWICH City assistant manager Ian Butterworth is certain Ipswich Town will be fired up for Sunday's Coca-Cola Championship derby at Portman Road (kick-off 12.45pm).

The Blues might not have as much riding on the game as the relegation-haunted Canaries, but Butterfield is under no illusions about the task his side faces to claim three massive points.

“Ipswich will be fired up, I've no doubt about that,” said Butterworth, who has experienced the fervour of Town/City clashes on the pitch as a Canaries skipper and central defender.

“It's Norwich, it's a derby game, and their manager will be looking for a response after a couple of iffy results.

“They won't want to get beaten by Norwich. We know it's going to be a tough game.

“I don't think you need to motivate anyone for this game. They will be up for the fight. It's brave heart stuff now.

“But you have to play the game, not the occasion, and play with your brains as well as your heart.”

City have three games left to save them from relegation, and they could well be in the bottom three again by the time they play Ipswich - the Canaries will be gunning for a double after a 2-0 win at Carrow Road earlier in the season.

“I'm not going to try to work out the points - we've just got to try to win all three games and if we do we'll stay up,” Butterworth added.

“Monday's 2-0 home win over Watford was tremendous - a fantastic day for our supporters, and a great performance from the team who provided the spark and started really well, and played some good stuff.

“It was thoroughly deserved and got our confidence back ready for the big game.”

Bryan Gunn's right-hand man is aware that City's goal difference currently gives them the equivalent of an extra point over their rivals but will not be relying on that.

“It's true but let's hope it doesn't come down to that,” he said.