Sears, McGoldrick and Pitman All Start at Reading - Ipswich Town News
Town boss Mick McCarthy includes Freddie Sears, David McGoldrick and Brett Pitman from the start as the Blues face Reading in this evening’s live Sky game at the Madejski Stadium (KO 8pm).
Sears looks set to start wide on the right but Town have the option of moving to 4-3-3 if necessary with Reading having named three strikers - including debutant Matej Vydra - in their line-up.
Christophe Berra returns to the Town line-up, the Scottish international central defender having missed the 3-2 defeat to Brighton two weeks ago with a hamstring problem.
Daryl Murphy is on the bench after his calf injury, while there is no place in the 18 for new signing Tommy Oar, however, Jonny Parr is included for the first time this season after a niggly thigh injury.
Reading: Bond, Gunter, Obita, Ferdinand, McShane, Norwood, Quinn, Tshibola, Blackman, Sa, Vydra. Subs: Al-Habsi, Hector, Robson-Kanu, McCleary, Piazon, Williams, John.
Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Douglas, Fraser, Sears, McGoldrick, Pitman. Subs: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Parr, Coke, Maitland-Niles, Touré, Murphy.
What to read next:
McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in ChallengeManager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look GreatBlues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Hackney and CajusteTown boss Kieran McKenna remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the Blues’ approach for last season’s loanee Jens Cajuste and also Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney’s decision to remain with the Teessiders.
AJ Auxerre 0-3 Ipswich Town - Match ReportGoals from George Hirst, Jacob Greaves and Ali Al-Hamadi saw Town to a 3-0 victory over French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Hirst put the Blues in front on 38 and Greaves added the second with a header from a free-kick in first-half injury time, before Al-Hamadi added the third with five minutes remaining of the match.
AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-TimeGoals from George Hirst and Jacob Greaves have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.