Boss Paul Jewell appears set to recall midfielder Lee Martin as the Blues look to lay to rest the ghost of August’s 7-1 defeat at London Road when Peterborough visit Portman Road on Saturday. The 25-year-old, sent off in that thrashing, was rested for last week’s game at Hull due to tiredness and concerns about the heavy surface at the KC Stadium.

Jewell says his side go into Saturday’s game in a positive frame of mind after their recent run of one defeat in eight matches but without taking the opposition too lightly: “Confidence is high but there’s a fine line between confidence and being too cocky.

“We want to be confident but also wary and respectful of who we’re playing. We have to show every team we play respect, do our homework on them and try and stop them playing and try and force our undoubted ability on them.”

The Town boss says that renewed self-belief has come through endeavour: “It’s come through hard work really, and a little bit of luck at the right time.

“We’ve played well, even against Brighton I thought we were unfortunate to lose the game 3-0, the result didn’t tell the full story.

“We went to Southampton and we showed resilience and we’ve got to show that again over the next 11 games and beyond that.

“There’s a belief in the squad that when we go behind now we can get back into the game. That wasn’t there at certain times this season.

“I think back to even to Notts Forest and Reading, you could feel the anxiety in the team and that ended up costing us those two games.”

He says the fans are also increasingly confident in their side: “The spirit is there for everyone to see at the moment, and not just amongst the players, I think the spirit is there amongst the supporters as well.

“I think there was a time in this season where we’d lost our way a little bit and confidence was at a low ebb and the spirit is always questioned then.

“I think confidence was so low but now people have stepped up to the plate — Luke Hyam, Andy Drury, Lee Martin, Jason Scotland, Tommy Smith.

“These people have come into the team and have made the team and squad more competitive. There’s competition for places and that’s always a perfect situation for a manager.”

Jewell says revenge for August or rather tenuous claims of a local derby aren’t particularly in his thoughts: “I obviously care about the bragging rights because we want to be winning, but the most important thing is having a decent end to the season.

“We’ve got 11 games left and I don’t want the season just to drift because you can soon find yourself drifting at the wrong end of the table and we don’t want that. If we can, we want to try and keep the run we’re on going and try and build for next season.”

Jewell is likely to stick with Alex McCarthy in goal with Carlos Edwards and Aaron Cresswell the full-backs and Damien Delaney and Tommy Smith the centre-halves.

In central midfield, Grant Leadbitter is over the groin injury he suffered at Hull, where he scored both Town goals, and is expected to keep his place, probably alongside Andy Drury.

Daryl Murphy and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas look set to continue in the wide roles with Martin coming in for Jason Scotland in his regular position behind lone striker Michael Chopra probably the only change.

Jimmy Bullard is available again after his two-week club suspension but Jewell has confirmed that the midfielder won’t be involved at the weekend.

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson, who has a fully fit squad from which to pick his side, promises that his team will come to Town with an attacking approach: “I had a look at the DVDs of matches that we have done well in and in those games we attacked the opposition, so that is going to be the mentality from now on.

“We have to play to our strengths. Ipswich have improved a lot since we played them and Paul Jewell and Ipswich deserve a lot of credit for that.”

In August, Town had two players sent off in the same match for the first time ever as Peterborough came from behind to win 7-1 at London Road.

Lee Martin and sub Tommy Smith — who had been on the field for less than a minute - saw red either side of half-time after Keith Andrews had put the Blues in front only for Lee Tomlin (3), Paul Taylor (2) and Grant McCann (2) to see Posh to their biggest ever win at Championship level.

The last time the teams met at Portman Road, in December 2009, they played out a 0-0 draw in what was the first ever league game between the sides.

Overall, Posh have the upper hand, winning five times (two in the league), two matches ending in draws (one) and the Blues winning once (none in the league). The visitors are currently two places and four points behind the Blues in 18th on 41.

Jimmy Bullard was with Posh between May 2001 and January 2003, making 73 starts and four sub appearances, scoring 14 goals. No member of the Peterborough squad has played for the Blues, although striker Tyrone Barnett was a player who was being eyed by manager Paul Jewell prior to his recent move to London Road from Crawley.

Saturday’s referee is Gary Sutton from Lincoln, who has shown 84 yellow cards and eight red in 29 games so far this season. Sutton’s most recent Town match was the 5-3 win at Barnsley in which he booked five Town players — David Stockdale, Ibrahima Sonko, Lee Martin, Keith Andrews and Michael Chopra - and no Tykes.

In his last Peterborough match, a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton in October 2010, Sutton showed an early straight red card to Posh midfielder George Boyd for a clash with Seagulls’ striker Ashley Barnes.

Squad from: McCarthy, Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Cresswell, Smith, Delaney, Sonko, Drury, Hyam, Leadbitter, Bowyer, Stevenson, Emmanuel-Thomas, Murphy, Carson, Martin, Chopra, Scotland.

Photo: Action Images

Urchin added 13:41 - Mar 16 Good news - hope he bags a couple
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footyblue added 13:43 - Mar 16 they are professionals doing something they enjoy, they shouldn't get tired unless the training isn't up to much....................
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jas0999 added 14:30 - Mar 16 Am expecting us to reap revenge tomorrow. 5-0 is a minimum requirement.
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nthstd added 14:37 - Mar 16 11 games left- that will be 33 points to add then boys!!! Up the Town
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Michael11 added 14:54 - Mar 16 Hope we absolute smash Posh to bits tomorrow, even though i'd still take a 1-0 if offered now!
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Morgan added 15:14 - Mar 16 Pj's not stupid, he knows if we go all out attack against what is a counter attacking side whose only strength is attack we will get our pants pulled down. We should run out comfortable winners though! Martin is like a having a new signing and has won me over. Keep up the good work and his career is back on track.
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Len_Brennan added 15:21 - Mar 16 "5-0 is a minimum requirement." - Good man jas. You weren't getting enough bang for your buck with the "We should easily win this game" and "anything less than a win/result is unacceptable" type comments over the last few week due to the excellent form of the team and managerial ability of the manager, so you've had to up the ante. Do you really think that the other contributors on here can't see through your childlike games? Do you honestly believe that a 4-0, 5-1, 6-2 or even a 1-0 victory will give you just cause to post a "pj out, this is unacceptable" comment?

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Garv added 15:25 - Mar 16 5-0 is a minimum requirement? I'd laugh if this statement was a joke but the sad thing is it was a genuine comment.
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nitroblue1970 added 15:26 - Mar 16 If we play them off the park like we did against Drizzle City a few weeks ago then a 4 -0 is my prediction, however I would prefer a 7 (SEVEN) 0 with a hatrick for Lee Martin and Tommy Smith and an obligatory goal from Scotland with 2 minutes left!...that may just lay the ghost of London Road finally!
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dreblue added 15:39 - Mar 16 Jas - As an ipswich fan I can see why you may moan and be negative (especially when you look at where we are in the table etc etc etc) HOWEVER we are where we are BUT things are looking up (touch wood). If you are a TRUE fan you would get behind the team AND the manager and stop these ridiculous comments..... Yes I'm sure you like reactions from people on here - but the key thing is that everyone needs to believe in what is now happening at town. If you are not going to be behind this then simply dont bother commenting at all. People will value your comments when you start been realistic and not coming out with comments like "Jewell Out" straight after winning a game..... I do wonder whether you are secretly Roy Keane and you have nothing else to do than chat rubbish on here and also on ITV.

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saffronblue added 15:53 - Mar 16 Play Hyam instead of Leadbitter please. Also would love Cody to be given a go in goal rather than McCarthy. Nothing against the lad but he won't be here next season (or at the end of this season) and we should blood some youngsters and build for the future. 3-1 the Town COYB
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slowerball added 16:48 - Mar 16 I believe that Martin didn't start against Hull because his side-sweep style parting wasn't as sharp as it had been in previous weeks... The disappointed Martin said, "The side-sweep seemed to loose its shape in the warm-up and the parting became less defined. I had a word with the boss and he could see I was struggling." Paul Jewell's plans were scuppered but he was typically resilient when asked about the matter, "...well I'm not going to sit here and speculate about other hairstyles, that's not for me to comment on, nor is it any of my business what the coiffeur arrangements are at other clubs, that's up to them." The Yorkshire based Liverpudlian said he noticed Martin suddenly pull up and knew something was wrong. "I could see him pull up and I knew something was wrong." - flattening his own slowly declining topper as the words left his lips. "I took him to one side and the physio had a quick look; the boy was upset so I stuck him on the bench whilst he sorted himself out. Luckily Steve McCall always carries some Brylcreme from his old Uefa Cup days, so we patched Lee up and told him to he use a zip up top rather than a sweatshirt for fear of further disturbance." Jason Scotland took Martin's place as Ipswich changed formation from a loan striker with Martin playing just behind, to a more orthodox two up front, with Chopra partnering the Trinidadian. "Jason has done great in training and with his close cut hairstyle, I knew he could go straight in with no problems. We've got a good squad here and a decent set of Carmen rollers." Manager Jewell refused to discuss any Pompey players and added, "Lee has been excused doing any ladder work and doggies in the warm-ups until the end of the season, so we don't get a repeat of this problem. It's nothing to worry about, only a niggle." The white haired CEO, Simon Clegg commented, "Lee has been very consistent of late, his hair has displayed one or two nice touches and neat passes, but the feeling is that with the loan window still being open, its causing a draft that is ruffling his accurately styled barnet". Mr Clegg would not be drawn into discussion about the club's rumoured decision to change both home and away shorts alternately ever quarter from next season as part of Fifa's Fair Shorts policy. Lee Martin would like to thank sponsors StudioLine & Vosene. (Interview courtesy of "Sideparter Monthly" in shops now)

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TractorTrog added 17:10 - Mar 16 slowerball....you are a nutter laughed my socks off thats what I call a great match report!!!! keep it up we all enjoy a good chortle and I hope the trend for a good laugh and banter on here will continue 10/10....and dont be too hard on Jas0999 his funny too in his own way?
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Lightningboy added 17:33 - Mar 16 ALB/Cropper in for McCarthy too please!.
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MathieandMarshall added 17:42 - Mar 16 @footyblue - I am sure Lee Martin would have prefered to start against Hull, i'd be very suprised if he would admit to feeling tired. I dont think anyone can question the lads fitness. He covers every blade of grass at least twice each half!
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slowerball added 17:56 - Mar 16 Fair comment about the 'keeper. Reading can keep him - he was very ordinary against Hull and although Smith was very poor for their 2nd goal, McCarthy didn't bathe himself in glory either. For a big man you'd think he could cover efforts like that.
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arc added 19:28 - Mar 16 5—0 minimum requirement?? No! 6—0, so we can win on away goals! ;-)
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alfromcol added 19:35 - Mar 16 slowerball Great post
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TimmyH added 20:01 - Mar 16 Whatever anybody says, this is to a degree a 'payback' game, that loss was emphatically embarrassing and in front of the sky cameras. So hopefully the lads can really be up for this one, I can see goals in it as well but not 5-0 as Jas said earlier. I'm going for 4-2
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s6blue added 20:42 - Mar 16 come on boys -- lets stuff em
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lawshallgirls added 22:18 - Mar 16 Isn't Cody cropper injured?! Might be wrong but last I heard he was out for the season Can someone please confirm/deny this Thanks :)
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michaeldownunder added 23:29 - Mar 16 Tommy Smith to score within 60 seconds just incase he gets sent off after 90 as per the last game. Also would be nice for Crestwell to get one of his long range shots in.
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SchancheITFC added 00:02 - Mar 17 Come on Town let's do these c.nts!
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Guthrum added 00:06 - Mar 17 lawshallgirls - I remember hearing that, too.
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RetroBlue added 07:02 - Mar 17 Posh are a gd side who often get late goals. This will not be the "Posh over" many think it will be IMO. I'm exppecting a very hard for draw. 3-3 !
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