Boss Joe Royle says Town's play-off aspirations will become clearer after their next three matches. The Blues take on Millwall at home on Saturday and then travel to face play-off rivals Preston on the Tuesday and Crystal Palace the following weekend.

Royle said: "We will have a much better idea of what we can achieve after the final whistle at Selhurst Park.

"There have been some crunch times over the last few months, but next week tops the lot."

Town's top-six challenge was helped by Preston and Wolves drawing 0-0 with Plymouth and Stoke respectively last night and the improvement in the Portman Road injury situation.

Midfielder Jimmy Juan and full-back Fabian Wilnis would both have been in contention for selection had last Saturday's scheduled game at Preston not succumbed to the weather, while the club are hopeful that Alan Lee will be fit to lead the line against Millwall after his hamstring injury.

With Ricardo Fuller sitting out the Lions game due to a one-match ban, Lee will be partnered by either Danny Haynes or Dean McDonald, with the scorer of the derby winner most likely to get the nod.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls