Town skipper Jim Magilton hsa praised central defensive duo John McGreal and Matt Elliott. The pair led the Blues to a rare clean sheet as Town defeated Sunderland on Monday.

Magilton said: "They can form the bedrock for us to win a place in the play-offs and then come away from Cardiff with a victory.

"John McGreal is one of the most outstanding players I have played with. He has always been a favourite of mine and it was an outstanding piece of business when George Burley signed him from Tranmere.

"Matt Elliott is a quality performer who is hopefully here until the end of the season. He is an established, experienced professional who has played his part in our five wins in the last six games.

"It was an untypical display from us as we had to grind out a result. We defended fabulously. Our defending has come in for criticism, but when it goes as well as it did against Sunderland then the defence deserve to have their praises sung."

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