x

Drury Returns at Watford - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Paul Jewell has as expected recalled Andy Drury in place of the suspended Grant Leadbitter for this afternoon’s game at Vicarage Road. The starting XI is otherwise unchanged with Luke Hyam added to the bench.

Jack Ainsley is the unlucky man from the 17-man party which made the trip to Hertfordshire.

The Blues are looking to end their Watford hoodoo having failed to beat the Hornets in 14 games home and away in all competitions since March 2004 when a Dean Bowditch hat-trick and a rarity from Jermaine Wright condemned the Hornets to a 4-1 defeat at Portman Road.

The Blues' last victory at Vicarage Road was in September 2003 when a debut goal from sub Shefki Kuqi and a superb chip by Jim Magilton saw Joe Royle's men to a 2-1 win, Scott Fitzgerald netting for the Hornets.

Watford make two changes, John Eustace coming in for Prince Buaben and Joe Garner for Chris Iwelumo. Full match preview here.

Watford: Kuszczak, Doyley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Dickinson, Murray, Hogg, Eustace (c), Kacaniklic, Deeney, Garner. Subs: Loach , Bennett, Buaben, Iwelumo, Assombalonga.

Town: McCarthy, Edwards (c), Smith, Delaney, Cresswell, Bowyer, Drury, Emmanuel-Thomas, Martin, Murphy, Chopra. Subs: Lee-Barrett, Sonko, Hyam, Stevenson, Carson.

What to read next:

Head of Analysis Leaves Town
Town’s head of analysis Jamie Osman has left the club after a year to set up an analysis consultancy.
Burgess First of Three Town Players Set For International Action
Cameron Burgess, Axel Tuanzebe and Ali Al-Hamadi - as well as departed loanee Julio Enciso - could all add to their senior caps today with the Australian international the first to get into action at lunchtime.
Boatswain's Montserrat Win
Blues U21s striker Ash Boatswain played the full 90 minutes as Montserrat beat Belize 1-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier played in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago.
Pitts Wins Cap in Malta U21s Victory
Town youngster Josh Pitts won his first Malta U21s cap as his side beat San Marino 1-0 away in the first of two friendlies earlier this evening.
Delap's Chelsea Move Confirmed
Blues striker Liam Delap’s £30 million move to Chelsea has been confirmed, the frontman having signed a six-year deal.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Town's Premier League Stay Formally at End
Town’s stay in the Premier League has formally come to an end with the return of the Blues’ share certificate.
Harness: Time at Town Changed My Life Forever
Departing forward Marcus Harness says his time at Town changed his and his family’s lives forever, the 29-year-old having left the club and joined Huddersfield earlier in the week.
Young Duo Set For Caps
Blues youngsters Ash Boatswain and Josh Pitts look set to win international caps with Montserrat and Malta’s U21s later today.
Thomas Makes First Jamaica Start in Defeat to USA
Ipswich Town Women’s striker Natasha Thomas made her first start for Jamaica as the Reggae Girlz were beaten 4-0 by the USA in St Louis, Missouri overnight.