Preview: Ipswich vs Leicester

Leicester will be looking to maintain their winning start to the new Championship campaign when they travel to Ipswich Town tomorrow afternoon.

The Foxes are on a high following their impressive second-half comeback at home to Swansea last weekend, with a League Cup tie at Macclesfield midweek also going manager Nigel Pearson's way.

Roy Keane's Ipswich on the other hand endured a frustrating time at Coventry last Sunday, a game in which they found defeat after enjoying much of the better play the match had to offer. A nervy penalties win at Shrewsbury on Tuesday will have done little to regain confidence.

City have a less than impressive record on their travels to Ipswich, claiming just one solitary win in their last nine meetings at Portman Road. The Foxes are currently unbeaten in their last seven league matches, and will be looking to break their hoodoo with three points tomorrow afternoon.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane: 'Leicester's confidence will be sky high. They've had two good wins and have a winning mentality and momentum from last year.

'That often happens when teams come up. They are used to winning football matches and I expect them to push on this year.

They have a good fan base, they have bought well this summer and have a good manager in Nigel Pearson. He is a well respected coach who has worked under good managers himself. He knows his trade and I expect them to have a good season'.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: 'It is really going to be very competitive, I think Ipswich are one of those sides who would expect themselves to be in and around the promotion shake-up. It will be a good yardstick for us'.

Ipswich will be without the services of former-Plymouth Argyle midfielder David Norris, who is sidelined for four months with a knee ligament injury.

Ex-City player Ben Thatcher is also out for the Tractor Boys, along with Pablo Counago, scorer of one of Ipswich's three goals when the Foxes last visited Portman Road.

Never heard of him? Neither had we until his brace at Shrewsbury in the League Cup on Tuesday evening. The name Wickham could be branded about more frequently in the weeks to come...

So what's special about him? Well, consider the fact he's only 16, and you may be getting somewhere. Has the youngster done enough to put himself in contention for tomorrow's match?

Right-back Robbie Neilson is now available for contention after serving a two-match ban picked up whilst playing for Hearts. Michael Morrison is expected to make way.

Nigel Pearson has a full squad to choose from, aside from possible doubts over the fitness of Matty Fryatt following a non-existent pre-season.

The midfielder signed from Doncaster in the summer is set to be one of the most important plaers of the summer for Nigel Pearson.

A classy performance against Swansea last weekend, the player will be looking to sustain his form at Portman Road tomorrow afternoon.

- If selected, Robbie Neilson could become the 1,000th player to play in the colours of Leicester City (if the record books are correct).

- The Foxes have taken a lowly three points from their last nine encounters with Ipswich at Portman Road.

- Ipswich require three goals from the match to take heir home tally of goals against the Foxes to 50.

Phil Crossley

Our quite frankly dismal record at Portman Road does not put us in good stead for the game ahead... Ipswich 1-0 Leicester

Ipswich: Crystal Palace (H) - 18/08/09

Leicester: Sheffield United (A) - 18/08/09

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