Former Blue Dean Bowditch says he has fond memories of his time at Portman Road as he prepares to face his old club for the first time.
Bowditch, 29, came through the academy ranks at Playford Road and, having made his senior debut as a sub in the 2-0 derby win at Norwich in March 2003, went on to make 35 starts and 47 sub appearances for the Blues, while also spending spells on loan at Burnley, Wycombe, Brighton, Northampton and Brentford during his time as a Town player.
He scored nine goals for Town, including a memorable hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Watford in a live Sky game at Portman Road.
Bishop’s Stortford-born Bowditch moved on to Yeovil following his release by the Blues in the summer of 2009 and after two years with the Glovers he joined his current club, where he has now made 136 starts and 31 sub appearances, scoring 38 goals.
"I still always look to see how they get on, and I want them to do well, except this weekend of course,” the former England U16, U17 and U19 international told the Milton Keynes Citizen.
"It was a while ago that I was there now, but I spent a lot of time there and I’ve got a lot of fond memories of Ipswich.
"It’s a club I love and I’m looking forward to playing against them, if I’m playing. I still speak to people there and have a lot of respect for the place.”
Bowditch expects his old club to be amongst the contenders for promotion again this season as they were during his time at the club, the striker or midfielder having featured in the play-off semi-finals against West Ham in 2003/04 and 2004/05.
"To be fair, they’ve been close for many years, even when I was there,” he recalled. "They get there or thereabouts, but never quite make it.
"The year before I made it into the squad, they got relegated and we all thought they’d bounce back and for a couple of years it looked like they might but it just didn’t happen.
"I don’t know whether it’s because they recruit well, but they’re always there and just can’t get over the line. But I think this year will be the same - hopefully they’ll do well.
"I’m sure Mick McCarthy will have them well-drilled, but I’m more concerned with the weekend and hopefully we can do a number over them.”