Colchester boss John McGreal says he had some great times with the Blues but says this evening’s Leasing.com Trophy match at the JobServe Community Stadium has no special significance for him.
The Blues have already qualified for the round of 32 but need a draw to confirm top spot in the group and a guaranteed home tie, while the U’s require a victory seal their qualification, although they could still go through if tonight’s match is a draw depending on the result of the Gillingham-Tottenham U21s game at the Priestfield Stadium.
"If we win, we're through. It's going to be a different challenge against a side that have been top of the table pretty much all season,” McGreal told the Colchester Gazette.
"We know how tough they are because we played them in pre-season [losing 5-0].
"We know how well they performed then but tonight's a different game and one we have to try and win.”
The 47-year-old, who was with the Blues between 1999 and 2004 making 148 starts and three sub appearances, scoring five goals, says the game doesn’t have any particular significance for him despite looking back fondly on his time at Portman Road.
"No, not really,” he reflected. "I've come up against them numerous times now, mainly in pre-season, and it doesn't give me any extra motivation because it's Ipswich.
"It's just another cup game and another match we have to try and win.
"I don't want it to be about me. I want it to be about our club, going into a game we have to try and win.
"I had some terrific times at Ipswich - a promotion, finishing fifth in the Premier League and playing in the UEFA Cup.
"They were five brilliant years and I still live in the area, so see and speak to a lot of their fans. But in terms of my time at the club, it's in the past.”
The draw for the second round will take place live on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday at 2pm with former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and ex-England midfielder Sue Smith in charge of picking the balls from the bowl.
The winner of each group will play a runner-up from another group with the draw split on a north-south basis.