Cole Skuse will line up against former club Bristol City for the first time when they visit Portman Road in a Championship fixture on Saturday.

City were the club he supported as a boy and he admitted: “I’m really looking forward to it. I was there for a total of 17 years and they are my club, although a lot has changed in the short period since I left and I don’t know that many of the current squad or the staff.

“They were the team I supported as a boy so it’s going to be strange for me. I still look out for their result every time they play — in my book your team’s always your team.

“When I’m retired they will still be my team but business is business and they will be looking to come to our patch and upset us while we’ll be doing our utmost to get all three points.

“City romped League One last season and also won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last year. But they’ve had a bit of a tough start this year back in the Championship.

“The manager has been faithful to that group and let them have a go and I’m sure they’ve got enough about them to get themselves out of the mix at the bottom of the table.

“It’s early days and I think they are still trying to suss out the Championship. It’s a massive club, it’s well run and I’m sure they will do okay.

“The ideal season for me would be for Ipswich to finish in the top two and City to stay up, even if they are just one place above the relegation zone.”

While Town occupy fifth place with 14 points from their opening eight games, City have found it tough going over the same period and are second from bottom with nine points fewer and just one win, although the fact that it was achieved at Middlesbrough should put Mick McCarthy’s men on their guard and ensure there is no complacency in the ranks.

Skuse has seen an extra demand for tickets for this one and added: “I always have family support because my mum and dad come to every game and my brother comes along when he’s not playing.

“But there will be more friends and a couple more family members this time and when we go down to Bristol for the return game I’ll need to have my own stand!

“I think there are only three players still there from my time at the club and they are younger lads so there hasn’t been much banter at that level. There’s been a bit from friends and family but nothing too severe.

“I was and still am a big City fan. In my early days I remember my dad queuing up for tickets and I was in among the fans at Wembley last year for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final.

“When I was a kid I had the kit, went to all the home games and a few away games on the supporters’ buses.

“It is always being said that a place the size of Bristol is underachieving and I’m sure there are people in the club who would say the same. I’d like to think that Bristol can have a Premier League club and they are definitely going in the right direction.”

Meanwhile, Skuse believes that Town will benefit from the fact that their Capital One Cup campaign is over following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, which will now enable them to concentrate on their promotion target.

He said: “The league’s the bread and butter, the games that mean the most. The cup is nice if you have a long run but the league is our main priority.

“Going so close last year, we want to go that step closer. I think back to the second play-off semi at Carrow Road and the game plan was working against Norwich while it was 11 v 11.

“It wasn’t meant to be but getting so close last year has inspired us to go that one step further and try to clinch one of the top two places.

“The cup competitions are lovely but when you’ve got three points to play for on a Saturday there’s nothing better than that.”

Photo: Action Images

mojo added 10:24 - Sep 25 The more I hear from Cole, the more I like him. He comes across as very articulate and represents the club and himself very well.
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cornishnick added 13:43 - Sep 25 Will he celebrate if he scores?! (and yes, I am joking)
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