Midfielder Ian Westlake says he is back to his best form after a slow start to the season. Westlake asked to be left out of a recent England U21 squad as he needed a rest, a decision which he says has paid dividends.

The 20-year-old has scored twice in the last two goals and feels he is recapturing the performance levels which won him the Player of the Year award last season: "I do feel the decision has been vindicated. Some people gave me a bit of stick for not going with England but I knew I was not playing at my best.

"I needed to stay at Ipswich and focus on regaining my form. I'm glad I did because I have felt much like my old self in the last couple of games."

Westlake says that team-mate Lewis Price was unlucky to make the error which contributed to Watford's second goal: "Lewis was very unfortunate as he was unsighted when the ball came in. He has done brilliantly for us lately so he doesn't deserve any stick. He is a strong lad and will bounce back anyway."

Town were without a substitute goalkeeper at Vicarage Road on Saturday due to injuries to Kelvin Davis (back) and Shane Supple (toe).

The Blues were unable to register coach Andy Rhodes in time for the match and had Price picked up a problem Richard Naylor would have made his debut as a keeper.

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