x

Royle on Cardiff - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Joe Royle says that he doesn't expect Cardiff's well-publicised cash row to have an effect on them when they come to Portman Road on Sunday.

The Welsh club's players are embroiled in a row with the management regarding a £50,000 payment potentially due to Gareth Whalley, but Royle says this will have no bearing on Sunday's crunch match: "I had a smile when I read the story but that won't be a distraction. There are other things to consider like people coming back.

"We have already seen with the likes of Andy Marshall and David Johnson recently, that we have to beware of them and that will be the same with Gary Croft.

"There is also Martyn Margetson who I gave a free transfer to when I was at Manchester City. So there will be plenty players in their team motivated to do well.

"Robert Earnshaw loves scoring a goal and their manager Lennie Lawrence is very experienced, one of the few who has gone past the 1,000 game mark. Wherever he has been he has done well and he hates to lose games. So we have to stay focused."

Striker Darren Bent has hailed Sunday's match as the most important he has played in: "It's a massive game, the biggest of my career.

"I've seen the pictures of the play-off final when the club won at Wembley four years ago and it would be great to be part of that again.

"But we have a big game against Cardiff first and we know it's going to be a tough one for us."

Cardiff will be without winger Paul Parry due to an ankle injury, but keeper Martyn Margetson will play despite having a broken finger.

What to read next:

U21s Exit Premier League Cup as Blackburn Come From Two Down to Win
Blackburn Rovers U21s came from 2-0 down to beat their Town counterparts 3-2 after extra-time in their round-of-16 Premier League Cup tie at Portman Road this evening. The Blues were 2-0 up through Josh Lewis and Luca Fletcher but two goals from Osman Kamara either side of the break brought the Lancastrians back into it and they won it via an Aodhan Doherty penalty in the 115th minute.
Nsofor Makes Loan Move
Academy forward Jackson Nsofor has joined Isthmian League North Division Redbridge on loan.
Taylor: I Don't Think You Can Compare the Squads
Town midfielder Jack Taylor says comparisons should not be made between the Blues’ current squad and the Championship promotion-winning side from two seasons ago.
U21s in Premier League Cup Action at Portman Road
Town’s U21s are in Premier League Cup action at Portman Road this evening when they take on Blackburn Rovers in the round of 16 (KO 7pm, live on TownTV).
Thomas in Jamaica Squad
Town Women’s striker Natasha Thomas has been named in the Jamaica squad for their World Cup qualifier next month.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
U21s Midfielder Young Makes Loan Move
U21s midfielder Tyler Young has joined Isthmian League Premier Division Potters Bar Town on loan.
Women's Game Against Sheffield United Postponed
Ipswich Town Women’s WSL2 game against Sheffield United at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester this afternoon has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Hirst: It's Been Playing on My Mind
Town striker George Hirst has admitted his dry spell in front of goal has been playing on his mind, but remains confident that hard work will see the goals return sooner rather than later.