Town boss Joe Royle is set to consult former West Ham first team coach Paul Goddard. The ex-Hammers and Blues striker left Upton Park in January and now scouts for Town on a part-time basis.

Royle had all of the play-off hopefuls watched at the weekend and says he will also ask Goddard for his input: “While West Ham have changed and evolved since he left, I'll certainly be sitting down over a cup of tea to have a chat with Paul.

“We already know a lot about them. Not only have we played them twice, I've also seen them on another two occasions and Willie [Donachie] has also seen them a few times.”

Royle is also set to speak to Wigan boss Paul Jewell to offer him his sympathies after the Latics just failed to make the play-offs: “I'll speak to Jewelly. We're years apart but I've got to know him well over the years and I feel for him at the moment.

“Wigan spent money and went for it. They did well and could hardly have come closer. They were just a minute from the play-offs and I can imagine how they're feeling.”

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls