Chief executive Derek Bowden expects Portman Road crowds to improve having dropped below 20,000 for two of the last three matches. The attendance of 19,465 for Tuesday's game with Coventry was the club's lowest league crowd for six seasons.

Bowden says that the average is currently below target but expects future games to increase that figure: "We have Sunderland on a Saturday next time and we still have Norwich, Southend and Colchester to come."

Tuesday's crowd, which was still the second highest in the Championship, wasn't helped by Coventry bringing only 200 fans for the relatively short trip down the A14.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls