BLUES boss Joe Royle has warned his Ipswich side to show Rotherham healthy respect - or pay the price.On their day Royle is convinced his side are capable of making the Merry Millers very miserable, but is also aware his side can be a big let-down.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Joe Royle has warned his Ipswich side to show Rotherham healthy respect - or pay the price.

On their day Royle is convinced his side are capable of making the Merry Millers very miserable, but is also aware his side can be a big let-down.

Royle said: “It is always down to us. If we play the way we can, and turn in the sort of performance that we did in the last half-hour against Cardiff, I fancy us against anyone.

“If we turn in 90 minutes as we did at Derby then we will have problems.We are getting stronger, and our strongest is good enough to beat anyone in this division.”

Rotherham have drawn both their home games so far this season and will be difficult for Town to break down.

Royle said: “I have a lot of respect for Rotherham. It is hard for them and they do well on limited gates.

“They won't have any relegation problems, they do better than just survive and there is nothing they like more than to get among what they perceive as the big boys in this division. If you don't show them respect you will be in trouble.”

Even with Jim Magilton getting a tidy hour under his belt on Tuesday, and being involved at some point, the Blues are likely to stick to their 4-3-3 system, deploying Kevin Horlock, Tommy Miller and Ian Westlake to win the midfield, as they did against Cardiff.

That would mean Shefki Kuqi spearheading the attack with Dean Bowditch and Darren Bent.

Jason De Vos returns to central defence, with Drissa Diallo shuffling across to right back. Fabian Wilnis is still struggling with an infected shin but is more likely to figure than Matt Richards, whose foot injury will keep him out.

If Wilnis fails a late fitness test then Scott Barron will make his league debut at left-back.

Tony Dinning is a doubt with a ricked neck, which affected his performance against Brentford on Tuesday, but is capable, when fit, of playing at left back or in midfield.