Mick still eyeing up the top two as Blues enter 'business-end' of the season, kicking-off with an Easter cracker against table topping Cherries





Mick McCarthy says three points against Bournemouth on Friday would put the Blues back in the race for automatic promotion.

The Town boss felt his side would be focusing on the Play-Offs, after the defeat at Middlesbrough last month left the Club six points behind leaders Boro, Bournemouth and Watford but successive wins over Bolton and the Hornets and results elsewhere have changed the picture.

“In my opinion, Bournemouth are the best team in the league so we know what is ahead but it’s a challenge that we are relishing - and we have beaten ‘the best teams in the league’ before at Portman Road,” Mick told Ipswich Player.

“We will be going for it, no question about that and if we do win, we will be within three points off Bournemouth.

“I wasn’t being smart when I said I felt we were out of contention for the top two but then we had two wins on the bounce and others dropped points and now we have an opportunity. We need to take it.

“If we win, we will be right back in it. It should be a big crowd and they have a part to play as well. The support has been fantastic this season and we need them at their loudest for this game.”

A crowd of around 23,000 is expected at Portman Road for the 5.15pm kick-off, which is also to be shown live on Sky Sports.

If you can’t make it to Portman Road then you can keep updated with all the action via live commentary on Ipswich Player, as well as all the build up and live updates via the Ipswich Wall.



Subscribers to Ipswich Player can watch the full interview with the boss now, by clicking here.



Team news

Blues should be boosted by the returns of David McGoldrick and Darren Ambrose ahead of the clash with the Cherries, after both recovered from injury. Kevin Bru and Jonathan Parr are both doubts, whilst Luke Hyam is ruled out. Jonny Williams and Zeki Fryers are in line to make their Town debuts after both signing on loan from Crystal Palace. Tyrone Mings misses out through suspension.



Cherries boss Eddie Howe will hand Callum Wilson a late fitness test ahead of the Portman Road clash. Striker Kenwyne Jones is on standby to deputise, after joining Bournemouth on loan from Cardiff for the remainder of the campaign at could make his debut against Town.

Where they currently stand

Town- 6th

Bournemouth- 1st





Last time we met

Both sides shared the spoils on the south coast, in an entertaining game at the Goldsands Stadium. Yann Kermorgant got Bournemouth off to the best possible start with a spectacular early opener, before Teddy Bishop pulled Town level in the second-half with a cool finish- his first senior strike. The Cherries responded through midfielder Matt Ritchie before Daryl Murphy hauled Town level with a late header.

Early bird deadline





The Early Bird deadline for season ticket renewals is past approaching and will close at 5.15pm tomorrow (Friday). Make sure you reserve your seat for next season at the best possible price today! Click here to make a purchase.

Match betting

If you fancy a flutter on the big game then make sure you place your bet through our official betting partner, Sky Bet, and help earn money for both yourself and Town! A home win for the Super Blues can be backed at 19/10, whilst an away win is priced at 7/5. Both teams to get on the scoresheet is tempting punters with odds of 4/5.







Match officials

Referee: Robert Madley

Assistants: Harry Lennard & Michael McDonough

Fourth Official: Gavin Ward

A crowd of around 23,000 is expected at Portman Road for the 5.15pm kick-off, which is also to be shown live on Sky Sports.