George Burley is still concerned about a number of his senior players ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester City. The Town boss expects an exciting game from two sides who like to play attacking football.

Burley said: "Mark Venus picked up a knock on his knee that may well make him doubtful. He has had treatment and an injection and did not train today. We're also keeping a close eye on Chris Makin who has picked up a virus since Saturday's game against Derby and was also absent from today's training session. Jim Magilton is still suffering from a hamstring injury that will definitely rule him out for Sunday. We are hopeful that John McGreal will be fully fit and available for Sunday."

The Town boss says that it is the performances on the day that count, not any previous results between the two clubs: "What's gone before has gone. Let's not take our foot of the pedal because of previous results."

Burley thinks the game is potentially very exciting: "Manchester City are currently Division One leaders and are the League's leading goal scorers. Although Ipswich have scored 20 goals in the last seven games, Kevin Keegan always fields an attacking side and we will have to be very aware of the force that the Man City team possess. Players such as Berkovic and Goater will not need a second invitation to get their names on the score sheet."

The FA Cup can provide another path to Europe something George Burley is quick to point out: "The FA Cup after all, is another route into Europe and it gives us a chance to play against varied opposition, culminating with a ‘Wembley' style final. Also apart from replays, the Cup has no mid-week fixtures that could distract us from the priority of Premiership success."

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