Royle: Seven days will decide future

THE next seven days could well decide Ipswich Town's immediate future, writes Derek Davis.

Blues boss Joe Royle believes that by this time next week Blues fans, and creditors, will have a better idea which division the club will be playing in come August.

Ipswich entertain Portsmouth in a live television game on Friday evening and Pompey could be in a party mood if they secure promotion tonight at home against Burnley.

Town are three points behind sixth-placed Reading who entertain Preston tonight and face Nottingham Forest on Friday night. If they slip up in both, while Town beat Harry Redknapp's men, Ipswich will move into the top six for the first time since last August.

While Royals boss Alan Pardew may be criticised for letting a 10-point lead slip, it will represent a huge leap for Town since Royle took over in October when the Blues languished fourth from bottom after being beaten 3-0 at Grimsby.

On Bank Holiday Monday the resurrection could be almost complete if they can beat Rotherham at Millmoor, while Reading will be at Portsmouth, who will still be looking to win the Championship title.

Royle last night said: "This is a big week for Ipswich Town. By next Tuesday we will have a very good idea if we are going to the play-offs or not. I have said for some while now that nothing is decided and certainly the players have not been thinking otherwise.

"There are a lot of important games in the next seven days involving teams which will affect where we are and they will take points off each other, it is going to be very interesting."

Town are sweating on the fitness of Richard Naylor who jarred a knee after landing heavily in the 4-2 win at Coventry City and is a doubt for the Pompey game, while Jim Magilton is looking good to recover from a stiff groin and Thomas Gaardsoe has been given a clean bill of health. Darren Bent will be tested later in the week after resting a torn hamstring.