Ipswich V Brighton at Portman Road : Match Preview

30 December 2012 17:01
Ipswich V Brighton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McCarthy set to keep the faith

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy is set to name an unchanged team for the sixth successive game when they welcome Brighton to Portman Road.

McCarthy has guided the Blues to seven wins from 12 games since taking charge, which has moved them eight points clear of the relegation places.

With no new injury or suspension concerns, McCarthy is likely to keep faith will all of his starting XI.

The ex-Wolves manager, who led his team to a 2-0 win at his former club on Saturday, has a number of options should he choose to rotate his squad for their fourth game in 11 days.

Experienced pair Nigel Reo-Coker and Michael Chopra made substitute appearances at Molineux and will be pressing for starts.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Jason Scotland offer further attacking options while Danny Higginbotham, who has not featured for the Tractor Boys since November, is also waiting in the wings.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet hopes to have Will Buckley available.

The midfielder, who scored the Seagulls' equaliser the last time the clubs met, missed the 3-1 defeat to Watford on Saturday evening due to a hamstring complaint and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Andrea Orlandi played just under an hour on his return from a rib injury and will hope to keep his starting place, while fellow midfielder Gary Dicker was an unused substitute following a knee problem that had kept him sidelined for a month.

Right-back Bruno also returned to the line-up after overcoming an Achilles issue and should continue in the side.

Poyet's men have gone five games without a win and are six points off the play-off places.


Source: PA