Chairman David Sheepshanks has hailed Joe Royle as an exceptional manager and says the board will give him as much financial support as possible if the Blues make it to the Premiership.

Sheepshanks said: "We have an exceptional manager in Joe Royle. He has a delightful and infectious personality and this rubs off on his players and all around him.

"Joe has proved to be an extraordinary leader of men, and shown both wisdom and astuteness with players and in the market place.

"And he wants to prove that he can lead Ipswich successfully in the Premiership.

"The manager has moved quickly this week to bring in David Unsworth, and he now feels his squad is strong enough to take us all the way to promotion.

"The board is right behind him and will give as much financial support as we can afford."

The Town squad were back in training today after returning from a five-day break in Tenerife.

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