Defender Gareth McAuley says he feels fit, strong and confident after the Blues’ unbeaten start to the season. McAuley is amongst the seven Town players in international action this evening or over the weekend.

McAuley, who is set to win his 23rd cap when Northern Ireland open their Euro 2012 campaign in Slovenia tonight, says he’s enjoying life at Portman Road: "Everything at the club has just settled down. Everyone is now used to the coaching and used to the levels of fitness that are expected. We are a very fit side. The pre-season was top-notch.

"You play 90 minutes and you feel like you could go again straight after it. We have got scientific staff, who do all the testing and it is very, very professional.

"I feel fit and strong and confident. I've had a good start personally as well as the team. It is going well at the minute."

Northern Ireland’s game with the Slovenians is live on Sky Sports One this evening (KO.7.45pm). Former Town loanee David Healy is also in the squad.

Current loan defender Darren O’Dea is likely to be on the bench for the Republic of Ireland when they begin their Euro 2012 games in Armenia this afternoon (Sky Sports One 3.55pm).

O’Dea, who has two full caps, injured his knee earlier in the week but the problem wasn’t as serious as was first feared. Ireland play Andorra at home on Tuesday.

Striker Tamás Priskin and keeper Márton Fülöp are with the Hungary squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier in Sweden. Fülöp has won 21 full caps, while Priskin has played for his country 27 times, netting seven international goals. The Hungarians take on Moldova at home on Tuesday.

Midfielder Conor Hourihane and full-back Shane O’Connor are with the Irish U21s for the final matches of their 2011 UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign. The Irish youngsters face Switzerland tonight and then Turkey on Tuesday, both away.

Hourihane recently made his debut for the U21s in the 5-0 victory over Estonia, claiming a goal, while O’Connor is yet to win a cap at this level. Ireland have no chance of progressing to the finals.

Jaime Peters is with the Canada squad, who play a friendly with Peru on Saturday in Toronto. On Tuesday they take on Honduras in another friendly in Montreal. Peters, 23, has previously won 22 full caps and has scored one international goal.

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 09:22 - Sep 3 trying not to get carried away but everything seems right at PR and i am thinking we are going to have a great season.
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bleedblue added 09:28 - Sep 3 Up the To-w-en!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 09:28 - Sep 3 this is just more spin from a Keane man, surely we are not fit, getting results, playing like a team - mark my words it will all end in tears (next week / month / year / decade)
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bluelady added 09:30 - Sep 3 Good lad!
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wisebluey added 09:55 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1- WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU ON ABOUT ?
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ipswich77777 added 10:00 - Sep 3 There is nothing like being positive is there tractoroy??? Any news on wickham, civelli and Kennedy?
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pitseablue added 10:07 - Sep 3 Tractoroy the start of the season could not have been much better. So what are you talking about !!!
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Keaneish added 10:18 - Sep 3 That's right Tractorroy...a Keane man who lost the captaincy!!? Great noises coming out of Portman Road at the moment.
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Tractorboy24 added 10:27 - Sep 3 I think irony is lost on a few, well at least I hope that was sarcasm from Tractoroy.
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joshuanelli added 10:27 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1 ! You are an absolute fool !!! I would hate to think what you would've been writing on the site if we had lost all 5 games!!! I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion - but when it's unreasonable negativity like this I'm afraid you're not welcome here! I don't think that even the most optimistic town fans would say we can win the league or even finish top 3 or 4, and we all know that at some point in the season every team has a blip ... but at least let us enjoy it whilst it lasts!!

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ArnieMsBigToe added 10:29 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1: Why didn't you go as far as century or even millenium. Is ti because you can't count that far?? Mupp*t!!
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Surco72 added 10:36 - Sep 3 What a diffence a year makes this time last year Mac was asked to find a new club and Bruce was made captain !! Some people should check the archives and see their riduclous comments "about time ","i will drive him wherever he wants to go " Embarrassing to say the least . Mac has proved himself to be one of the best defenders in the league with some belief from his manager.The team does look fit and very unified which is reflecting in the results so well done Keano and the players long may it continue . And to all those knocking TractorRoy he is being ironic and having a go at him proves his point that some like to moan about anything with nothing to back it up

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nthstd added 10:38 - Sep 3 Well Boys and Girls I'm no Keane fan. I don't liek his style, BUT I'm an Ipswich fan and if he gets results I'm not knocking him. BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY................. We're Not Brazil We're Norn Ireland We're Not Brazil We're Norn Ireland But it's all the same to me ULSTER! Green and White Army Green and White Army Green and White Army Green and White Army 10 games without a win 7 without a goal and we aren't bitching! I rest my case!

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BerlinBlue added 10:38 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1: be quiet.
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tortoise added 10:47 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1 was clearly taking the p*ss out of the people who just come on here and moan all the time and i thought it was quite funny!........... Lighten up folks!
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ipswich77777 added 10:59 - Sep 3 Who is moaning??? Only moan at the pessimists!!!
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Blue_badge added 11:10 - Sep 3 Irony is the use of words to convey something other than, and especially the opposite of, the literal meaning of the words. It's obvious to those of normal capability that Tractoroy1 is being ironic - so lighten up.
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ipswich77777 added 11:17 - Sep 3 Correct but some people still are pessimists!!
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corshamblue added 11:38 - Sep 3 The Thread lost its way thank to a stupid comment. A fit, strong, confident Macca has to be a good thing, and 7 on international duty reflects a strong team too. With Lucca, Connor & Kennedy returning and Townsend back from suspension and O'dear O'my keeping places honest at the back - Scotland, Priskin, Wickham scoring up front - what could go wrong? COYB
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Skip73 added 12:00 - Sep 3 Tractoroy is obviously taking the pi$$ out of ChambersM and other fools like him so lighten up people. Anyway all seems well at PR and here's looking forward to a great season.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:07 - Sep 3 well at least my p!ss take out of the anti-keane brigade got a bite
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ITFCKeano added 12:28 - Sep 3 Ha Ha! Good on you TractorRoyNo1 - had to re-read it myself to check it was a pi$$ take, but glad its stirred up some passion we've not seen in a while from some supporters. Good to have something we can joke about though, but some on here need to calm down a bit - it is a forum after all and we're entitled to a bit of light hearted banter now and then.
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FenboyBlue added 12:34 - Sep 3 Can someone verify, is that classed as our first rallying cry of the season? "Hussar! Charge!"
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blue_em_away added 13:25 - Sep 3 TractorRoyNo1 Happy fishing!
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Back_The_Boss added 13:54 - Sep 3 COYB! Lets keep the run going.
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