RK Has Selection Headaches Ahead Of Bristol Clash

It’s simple – a win would take Ipswich out of the bottom three. The Blues are unbeaten in seven games after last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Cardiff away in Wales.

Today’s opponents Bristol City are only two points in the play-offs in twelfth place but haven’t won in four.

From The Dugout:

Roy Keane says his side will head into the game at Ashton Gate full of confidence on the back of that 2-1 win against Cardiff last weekend. He told the club site: ‘Gary Johnson is doing a good job there and we know it will be a tough game for us but we are going there in confident mood and we’re looking forward to it.

But he knows that Bristol City away will be no easy game: ‘They bought well in the summer with players like Paul Hartley and have a very good home record. They have got plenty of pace going forward, we know all about Danny [Haynes] and they will fancy their chances of doing well this season.’

He also admitted that he has a selection headache, especially with the competition for a place up front: ‘Stern [John] has got a good chance of playing. He’s a big, strong boy with a good physical presence. He holds the ball up well and brings others into play.

‘We have other options in attack as well. Steady did well when he came on at Cardiff and scored, Pablo has trained well and Tamas did okay for us last week.’

Bristol City Team News:

Knee ligament damage to both Jordan Walker and Andrius Velicka mean they miss out, as does Brian Wilson who has a broken shin.

Jamie McAllister is doubtful with a shin injury, while Bradley Orr may return to the side after a calf injury.

Player to watch: Danny Haynes

The former Blues fans favourite joined the Robins in the summer from Town and it will be the first time that he has come up against his old side.

Ipswich Town Team News:

Arran Lee-Barrett will make his first start for Ipswich in goal thanks to Richard Wright’s injury. That also means a place on the bench for 18-year-old keeper Ian McLoughlin.

David Wright will be at left back, Rosenior on the right and Damien Delaney and Gareth McAuley in the middle. Alex Bruce continues to recover from a groin injury.

Grant Leadbitter will continue in the middle, probably with Owen Garvan. Alan Quinn may get a starting place as reward for the impact he made when he came on at Cardiff last weekend, possibly making way for Carlos Edwards. Jon Walters will occupy one flank.

Stern John should continue up front but Tamas Priskin may lose his place to Jon Stead, who scored the winner against the Bluebirds last weekend.

Player to watch: Arran Lee-Barrett

Please just don’t get injured Arran!

Ref Watch:

Mr Tony Bates is the man in black.

Match Prediction:

I think Ipswich can extend their unbeaten run today, although I’m not 100% confident of a win. I’d like to I think Town will win, but I’m predicting a 1-1 draw.