Skipper Gareth McAuley is making good progress as he recovers from the knee injury which saw him miss the final game of the season. The Northern Irishman collided with an academy keeper during training and suffered a medial knee ligament problem.

McAuley, who had previously been sidelined with a hamstring injury, said: "I feel I'm achieving something now that the knee brace is off. I'm at the stage now where I can do jogging, swimming and cycling.”

The Blues skipper is ahead of schedule having initially been expected to miss the start of pre-season training.

McAuley says Roy Keane's appointment as manager at the end of last season shows where Town's ambitions lie: "Getting Roy Keane to this club is a great statement from the club about where they want to be. Since he has come in Ipswich Town has gone all over the world.

"Marcus Evans has taken the club global and this is just the first step. When we get this club promoted, then we stay on that stage every day of every week.”

Photo: Action Images

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