Town boss George Burley says he expects a tough game at Walsall on Saturday (KO 5.35pm), but plans to play an attacking side as the Blues seek to get their promotion campaign under way with a win.

Town's injury situation appears to be clearing up with only Mark Venus (calf), Wayne Brown (shoulder), Finidi George (dead leg) and Ulrich Le Pen (toe) missing from the squad for Walsall.

Burley says that there are doubts regarding some players included in the squad: “Chris Makin didn't train today. He played in the reserves on Monday and came through it OK, but he's picked up a thigh strain so he's doubtful.

“The same with Martijn Reuser. He played in the reserves but he's feeling his groin slightly. Finidi George is out due to a knock he received against Celta Vigo.”

“But overall the squad looks healthier. Jermaine Wright came through a game on Monday, Thomas Gaardsøe is back in the squad as well. So, after a number being out injured in pre-season we're beginning to look OK. Alun Armstrong had 50 minutes in the reserves on Monday and did OK.”

Burley has been impressed with his side in their pre-season games lately: “In the first team games we've had since Denmark we've won all four; a good win at Bristol Rovers, 3-0 against Bristol City, 3-0 against Brentford and a very encouraging win against a top class Spanish team Celta Vigo.

“The signs have been good pre-season and we aim to keep that going. We've got a good squad with a number of players who are right bang in form and there have been a lot of encouraging signs with young players coming in and doing very well.

“Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose were playing against Celta Vigo and all in all I think there is a determination amongst the squad to have a good season.”

Town's opposition on Saturday are from the unfashionable end of the First Division but he isn't taking them lightly: “We know that Walsall away is going to be tough. The First Division we know well and there will be a lot of tight games.

“Our aim this season is not to worry so much about the opposition but try to give teams problems. I think we need to score plenty of goals in this division to win and to get promoted and we'll certainly putting out an attacking team at Walsall.

“I know Colin Lee well, he's got them well organised and they are a well-disciplined team and are hard to break down. We'll have to be at our best but we'll be looking to give them problems.

“I think we've got a lot of ability in the side, we've got to show a lot of determination and ruthlessness and try and kill teams off. We'll be looking to press teams, to put them under pressure and to try to give them problems.”

The name on everyone's lips after last Saturday's win against Celta Vigo was Darren Ambrose. Burley says he will have some involvement at the Bescot Stadium, a start looking likely: “I'll pick the team that I feel will win the match and there is no doubt that Darren Ambrose did very well against Celta Vigo. If you are in possession of that shirt then it is up to you to keep it.

“I've got different permutations and I think Darren has given us a freshness about the side, a lot of enthusiasm, endeavour and energy, which I think came through in pre-season.”

The Blues' boss also finds himself with a number of strikers on the books, each eager for a first team place: “I won't rotate the strikers. There may be games where I might change it, but I'm looking for the ones in possession to show that they can do it, simple as that.

“We've got five very good strikers in the squad and it is up to them to show who is going to keep their place. We tried variations of partnerships over pre-season and we've scored plenty of goals. Pablo came on against Celta Vigo and did very well, so I've got options and that is what you need.

“I think you need that competition in any side, especially in the striking department. And if you look at it we'll be playing 55-60 games this season so it is very important.”

Burley also says his midfield can score plenty of goals too: “I think we've got players capable of scoring from other areas. When you look at Matt Holland, Tommy Miller, Darren Ambrose, they've all got good goalscoring records and I'm confident they can score goals in the First Division. Hopefully we can be a threat from a number of areas.”

With speculation that the club may have to let players go on the cheap, Burley was cautious regarding player values and the effect the transfer window might have on any sales the club make, that side of the club more the domain of David Sheepshanks who is currently on holiday: “The Nationwide has not decided on transfer windows yet, so we're still waiting to hear about that. But as far as the Premiership is concerned they'll have to do their business before September 1st if they want to bring any new players into the squad, or otherwise wait to January. There's no doubt that one or two Premiership clubs will be looking to strengthen their squad before then.

“At the end of the day you can only sell for what somebody is prepared to pay, and that is the case, just like selling a house. If nobody is prepared to pay what you are looking for then sometimes you've got to look at it. But as I've said before we've got no concrete offers on the table and the only think I'm focussed on is getting the players ready for Walsall.”

The Town manager says he sees the season as a whole as an important one for the club and a chance to pay back fans for their loyalty: “It's going to be a big season for us, our fans have been absolutely tremendous since I've been here. Last season it was a difficult time, but they stayed with us every game, home and away, and they have shown their faith with the 18,000 season tickets and we're determined to make it a good season.

“We know the First Division isn't going to be easy but there is a lot of determination amongst the boys to go straight back up.”

Squad: Marshall, Pullen, Makin, Wilnis, Clapham, Hreidarsson, McGreal, Holland, Magilton, Ambrose, T Miller, Wright, Stewart, D Bent, Couñago, M Bent, Reuser, Armstrong and Gaardsøe.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls