Three Changes as Blues Face Gills - Ipswich Town News
Town boss Paul Lambert has made three changes for the Blues’ Boxing Day game against Gillingham at Portman Road.
Janoi Donacien returns to the XI at right-back in what looks to be a 4-4-2 system with Luke Garbutt on the left and Toto Nsiala and Luke Woolfenden the centre-halves. Skipper Luke Chambers is suspended for one match after Saturday’s red card while Will Norris continues in goal.
In central midfield Cole Skuse, who skippers, is partnered by Jon Nolan with Alan Judge returning to the starting line-up on the left and Gwion Edwards on the right. Flynn Downes drops to the bench.
Kayden Jackson is back up front alongside James Norwood with Will Keane among the subs as is Freddie Sears, in the 18 for the first time this season following his ACL injury.
Gillingham field an unchanged team from the 3-1 home victory over the MK Dons with former Town academy youngster Stuart O’Keefe in their midfield and ex-Blues loanee Ben Pringle on the bench.
Town: Norris, Donacien, Nsiala, Woolfenden, Garbutt, Edwards, Skuse (c), Judge, Nolan, Jackson, Norwood. Subs: Holy, Dozzell, Huws, Keane, Wilson, Downes, Sears.
Gillingham: Bonham, O’Keefe, Ehmer (c), Ogilvie, Hanlan, Mandron, Fuller, Jones, Lee, O’Connor, Tucker. Subs: Walsh, Hodson, Ndjoli, Charles-Cook, Pringle, Marshall, Jakubiak. Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey).
What to read next:
Hull City v Ipswich Town - PredictionsHave you predicted the Hull score yet? Sixty per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 27 per cent a draw and 13 per cent predicting a home win, but what do you think?
Leeds Thrashed at QPRThe battle for promotion at the top of the Championship took another dramatic turn this evening when Leeds United were thrashed 4-0 at QPR, a result which confirms Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League and puts the Blues in the box seat for the second automatic spot.
Gilmartin to Continue Interim Irish RoleTown’s head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin will continue his role on Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O’Shea’s staff for the June internationals, the FAI has announced.
Season Tickets Sell OutTown have announced that season tickets for the 2024/25 season have sold out through existing renewals, meaning no new fans will become season ticket holders for the campaign ahead.
U18s Host BladesTown’s U18s are in Professional Development League Two South action at home to Sheffield United on Saturday morning (KO 11.30pm).
Rosenior: Our Cup FinalHull City boss Liam Rosenior insists the Tigers’ home game against Town, a match which he describes as his team’s cup final, kicking off at 8pm on Saturday is an advantage in the race for the final play-off places.
Moore: To Be in This Situation With Three Games to Go is UnbelievableKieffer Moore is excited about the next nine days that will see Town travel to Hull and Coventry in search of precious points before the season ends on Saturday week with Huddersfield the visitors on a day that could, depending on what happens between now and then, see the Blues hosting a second successive Portman Road promotion party.
McKenna: We Have Big Confidence in OurselvesTown boss Kieran McKenna says his team have “big confidence” in themselves going into Saturday evening’s visit to Hull City, the first of three games which will decide whether the Blues win automatic promotion back to the Premier League after 22 years away (KO 8pm).