Loanee full-back Liam Rosenior says Town and Reading are the sides towards the bottom of the table with the best chance of making significant progress up the division this season. The 25-year-old is on a season-long loan at Portman Road from the Berkshire club and plays in Saturday's clash between the two teams.
Rosenior told the club site that there is no doubt where his allegiance now lies despite him having no ill feelings towards the Royals: "I'm an Ipswich player and as soon as I put on the shirt, there is no other club I'm thinking about.
"It won't be any more special for me on Saturday. It's another game that we need to win to move up the table.
"Reading is a great club work for. There's a lot of nice people there and they have great support and I'm thankful for the opportunity they gave me.
"It didn't quite work out for me as an individual there and as a team as well with relegation from the Premier League and then not bouncing back at the first attempt, but football can be like that.
"They have changed their team around a lot because of the finances and budget they have there and a lot of players have left since the end of last season.
"They have a good, young manager though, and good young players and when you look at the bottom half of the table I think it's Reading and ourselves that have the best chance of putting a good run together over the second half of the season.
"Burnley and Hull have shown over the last two years what can be achieved over the second stage and our aim has to be to get in the top 10 by the new year and then really kick on."
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have reminded supporters that Town’s game at Selhurst Park on Boxing Day is a 1pm kick-off.