Saturday's skipper Gareth McAuley was impressed with new signing Kevin Lisbie and central defensive partner Tommy Smith during Town's 2-1 victory over West Brom. The Northern Irishman increasingly looks like Jason De Vos's successor the Blues' captain.

McAuley said: "Kevin's goal epitomised the whole performance. He closed down well, nicked the ball and kept going to finish. That was good for him to get off the mark in his first game.

"He was on trial at Leicester with me last season and did very well, but for some reason was not given a contract. Instead he went to Colchester and scored all the goals, so hopefully he can bring that up the road here.”

Smith, who had an impressive spell on loan with Stevenage last season, also came in for praise: "Tommy was outstanding. He is playing well above his years. That was probably his first start in the first team and he was outstanding. He just needs to keep his head down and keep going and I can see he has a very bright future.

"Tommy is always asking questions, picking up bits of experience and wanting to stay behind after training to do the simple and repetitive things to make his game better.”

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls