Chambers ready for action as he and his teammates prepare for 'must win' game against relegated Blackpool this weekend





Luke Chambers has labelled Town’s next two games as ‘must win’, as Blues look to make a return to the top six this weekend.

Mick McCarthy’s side face relegated Blackpool at Portman Road tomorrow, before Cardiff visit Suffolk on Tuesday night, with Town currently sat two points off a Play-Off place following Monday’s defeat at Huddersfield.

“We’ve got two massive games this week and we have to take six points. They really are must win games,” Town skipper Chambers told the official Club website.

"We will look at Cardiff once Saturday’s game is out of the way, but all we are focusing on at the moment is Blackpool and trying to get back to winning ways.



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“Obviously they have just been relegated but we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.

“It will still be a difficult game but we know we need to get back to winning ways and we need to make sure that happens tomorrow afternoon.

“They had a decent result at Bolton and they will be going into the game with no fear. But we are confident at Portman Road, in front of our own fans, and we tend to bounce back well from disappointing results.”

You can read more from the skipper in our official matchday programme, priced at £3 and available from kiosks around the ground. Also contains exclusive interviews with Luke Varney, Mick McCarthy and Kyle Hammond amongst others.

Team news

Town boss Mick McCarthy will check on the fitness levels on Jonathan Parr and David McGoldrick ahead of the game, after the pair both missed the Easter Monday defeat to Huddersfield. Luke Hyam is definitely ruled out through injury, but Tyrone Mings is available again after suspension. Noel Hunt is also ruled out with a long-term knee injury.

Blackpool will be without the services of defender Grant Hall and ‘keeper Joe Lewis, who are both ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle injuries. Winger Michael Jacobs has been recalled by Wolves, whilst Miles Addison and Mark Waddington are also both expected to miss out.

Where they currently stand

Town- 8th

Blackpool- 24th

Last time we met

Town ran out 2-0 winners at Bloomfield Road back in November, with David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy on target for Blues. McGoldrick got Town off to the perfect start with a close range finish after just seven minutes, before Republic of Ireland international Murphy sealed the points with a neat finish after some sublime work down the right from Teddy Bishop to set him up.







Prostate Cancer UK

Tomorrow’s game is our registered Prostate Cancer UK game, to raise awareness. Town fans who complete the following survey can be in with a chance of winning a signed ITFC football, whilst Team ITFC are also playing their part in the fight against Prostate Cancer by cycling from London to Amsterdam this summer. You can see those involved on the Portman Road pitch prior to kick-off tomorrow.







Supporters Club/Junior Blues awards nights

The official Ipswich Town supporters club will be hosting their end of season awards night after the game tomorrow in Legends and the Sir Bobby Robson Suite. You can place your vote before the game, by seeing a representative wearing a yellow tabard around the ground holding a clipboard, whilst the Junior Blues will also be able to cast their vote for the Junior Blues Player of the Year. Any junior member at the game can go and track down a Portman Pal (wearing red) and place their vote. This can be done either on the fieldturf, the lower tier concourse of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand, or either concourse area of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand or the Cobbold Stand (depending on where you sit). Last season’s winner was Christophe Berra.

Match Officials

Referee: James Linington

Assistants: Robert Mackay & Michael Webb

Fourth Official: Carl Berry

If you can’t make it to Portman Road tomorrow then Ipswich Player will cover live commentary of the game, with all the pre-match build up and team news coming courtesy of our official social media channels.