Town first team coach Bryan Klug says the Blues can expect a tricky game when Burnley are at Portman Road on Saturday. The Clarets have won six of their 11 away games so far this season.

Klug said: “They are a very good side. They have plenty of attacking options and have proved they can go to places, scores goals and win games.

"They went to Wolves a few weeks back and ripped them apart and I think Saturday's game will be toughest we have faced at home all season.

"They are only a few points behind us in the table and will feel they can finish in the top six and I see them as genuine challengers. I think they are one of the best teams in the Championship."

Town, unbeaten in 15 at home, will be without Sylvain Legwinski due to the ankle injury he picked up in training last week, while Richard Naylor is still a little way from a return after his back problem.

Boss Jim Magilton could recall Alex Bruce to the centre of the defence with Fabian Wilnis dropping to the bench. At left-back Sito has impressed since taking over from Dan Harding and looks likely to continue. Neil Alexander, Jason De Vos and David Wright will keep their usual roles.

In midfield, Magilton is likely to switch Jon Walters back to his more usual right midfield role with Gavin Williams switching to the left from the centre. Tommy Miller, scorer of Town's winning goal a week ago, will come into the starting line-up alongside Owen Garvan, with Danny Haynes dropping to the bench.

Up front, Alan Lee and Pablo Couñago will start with Haynes, Billy Clarke and Jordan Rhodes also likely to be included in the squad.

Burnley have midfield duo Chris McCann and Joey Gudjonsson suspended after their red cards against Preston a week ago, while former Town loanee Alan Mahon is a doubt with a thigh injury.

Skipper Steven Caldwell was back in reserves action earlier in the week, also after a thigh problem, but is unlikely to be involved against the Blues. Midfielder John Spicer and defender Stephen Jordan are back after knee and ankle injuries respectively.

New Clarets boss Owen Coyle says he has been pleased with his first month in charge at Turf Moor: "There's been an abundance of positives to take from the matches, but equally there are things we can work on and tighten up, and if we do that, I think we can be a match for whoever we play.

"Overall, we should certainly have a better points return over the month for what we've done in those seven games.

"The game at Ipswich gives us an opportunity to get back on the winning trail and push ourselves back up the league."

Town came very close to beating Burnley in the league game in Lancashire in October, referee Colin Webster inexplicably ruling out Pablo Couñago's last minute winner, leaving the scoreline at 2-2. Boss Jim Magilton picked up an FA fine for comments he made to the official after the match.

Last season's game at Portman Road ended 1-1 via late goals from Kyle Lafferty and Alan Lee, who netted from the spot. Lee is a former Burnley player, while David Unsworth, another one-time Town loanee, joins Mahon in the Clarets' squad.

Town have had the better against Burnley over the years, winning 14 games (13 in the league), drawing seven (seven) and losing nine (nine).

TWTD issue 90 will be on sale before Saturday's game and features an exclusive interview with skipper Jason De Vos. TWTD's sellers will be found around the ground from 1pm, by Sir Alf, Planet Blue and the Portman Road entrance to the Greene King Stand.

Alternatively, if you can't make the game, fans anywhere in the world can purchase a single copy or six-issue subscription online here.

Saturday's referee is Select Group official Phil Dowd from Stoke-on-Trent. Dowd's last Town game was the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United in September 2005 in which he red-carded Sito for two bookable offences.

Probable squad: Alexander, Supple, Wright, Sito, Harding, De Vos, Bruce, Wilnis, Garvan, Miller, Walters, Williams, Peters, Trotter, Couñago, Lee, Haynes, Clarke, Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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