New boss Jim Magilton has admitted that the Blues face a tough first week of the season with Crystal Palace's visit to Portman Road on Saturday, August 5th followed by trips to Wolves and Leicester.

Magilton told the club site: "There's no denying it's a difficult start for us but it's certainly an exciting one and I can't wait to get going.

"Palace at home is always a game you look forward to because they have good travelling support and that helps create a great atmosphere at Portman Road.

"There's always a special feel about the club on day one of the season and having attractive opposition will only add to that.

"I see them as promotion challengers, although it will be interesting to see how they cope without Andy Johnson.

"I thought we were unlucky not to get something out of the game at Portman Road last season and we fully deserved our draw at Selhurst Park, but it will be a new start for both clubs because Palace also have a new boss in Peter Taylor.

"Wolves are another club that will fancy their chances of promotion and I see Leicester as stronger challengers than last year as well, so it is a tough start, but we'll be ready for it.

"The fixtures coming out today has really hit home to me that I'm Ipswich Town manager and I'm relishing the challenge. I just can't wait for kick-off."

The fixture list announced earlier today is only a provisional schedule with a number of games likely to move. Both Norwich matches are expected to switch to Sunday lunchtimes, while the Colchester and Southend games could also be early kick-offs on either the scheduled Saturdays or the Sundays of the same weekends. Other matches could move for live Sky coverage.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls