Town v Blades

Ipswich Town take on second placed Sheffield United at Portman Road tomorrow. Fans will be hoping for another action packed match just like several recent meetings between the clubs.

Vital Quotes:

Joe Royle:’Sheffield don’t seem to like coming here and let’s hope it stays that way on Saturday,’

‘I have great hopes from our fans this week. They seem to rise for the visit of Sheffield United. I’m not too sure why but certainly over the years I have been here, this game has been one that the fans have always been up for and I hope that’s the way it is at the weekend.

Ipswich Town Team News:

New recruit Alan Lee will make his Ipswich debut with forwards Nicky Forster, Adam Proudlock (both knee) and Sam Parkin all missing. Skipper Jim Magilton (back) is likely to be fit, while Owen Garvan is also expected to recover from a dead leg. Dean Bowditch and Dean McDonald will also be available again.

Player to watch: Alan Lee

Towns new signing will be looking to demonstrate his worth to the Portman Road crowd

Sheffield United Team News:

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock will make wholesale changes to the side beaten by Colchester United in the FA Cup last Saturday. New signing Garry Flitcroft goes straight into the squad while Craig Short is back in contention.

Player to watch: Gary Flitcroft

Making his debut for the blades, and will be out to impress

Match Facts & Stats

The all time record shows Town to have had the upper hand, picking up 21 wins, whilst there have been 20 draws, with United winning 16 of the 57 meetings so far.

The last meeting between the sides earlier this season when the Blades won 2-0 to cement their place at the top of the Championship, and Sito was sent off for Town. Last season at Portman Road, Town thrashed United 5-1, thanks to goals from Shefki Kuqi (2), Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor and Ian Westlake. The teams that day (02nd November 2004) were:

Ipswich Town: Price, Diallo, De Vos (Richards, 24), Naylor, Wilnis, Miller, Magilton, Horlock, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi.

Subs not used: Davis, Counago, Bowditch, Collins.

Sheffield United: Kenny, Bromby, Morgan, Jagielka, Harley, Liddell, Alan Quinn (Montgomery, 75), Thirlwell, Gray, Shaw (Forte, 72), Cadamarteri (Lester, 74).

Subs not used: Barnes, Geary.

Bookings: Alan Quinn, Cadamarteri, Harley, Morgan (Sheff Utd)

Attendance: 22,977

Referee: Lee Probert (Gloucestershire)

Ref Watch:

Tomorrow’s referee will be Steve Bennett from Kent.

Mr Bennett is an experienced Premiership and International referee, and last took charge of a Town game in their 2-2 home draw with Sunderland last season, when he booked 5 Ipswich players. Meanwhile, he last refereed Sheffield United in their 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship Play-Off Final back in May 2003.

So far this season, in 24 matches, Mr Bennett has shown 87 yellow cards and 7 red cards.