Town manager Joe Royle says his side need to concede less goals if they are to make the play-offs.

Royle is aware that his side's defensive fraities could cost them: "I'm not huge on statistics but I'm well aware that we have the worst defensive record of the clubs in the top eight.

“We need our goals-against tally down, because I know we can always score a goal. It is not just the back three or four as well, we need to defend better as a team.”

The Town manager recives a boost this weekend with Hermann Hreidarsson back after a four-match suspension while John McGreal could also return having recovered from a pulled muscle in his back.

Up front Marcus Bent is all but over a hamstring problem and could make his return against Stoke. Pablo Couñago misses the final game of his four-match ban.

Stoke have worries about Wayne Thomas and Peter Hoekstra. The Potters travelled to Suffolk last night ahead of the game.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls