Manager Joe Royle hailed an outstanding display from his side as they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 to go second in the Coca Cola Championship, their highest position since he joined the club in November 2002.

Royle said: "It was a great game. I thought we were outstanding. We played with excitement and verve.

"We are averaging two goals a game, are second in the league and in the next round of the Cup.

"We defended properly - apart from the goal which came from a great delivery - but apart from that for the third game running Kelvin Davis has not had a save to make.

"My biggest concern was that we didn't score the goals we should have done. At times in the first half I thought we were going to score every time we attacked."

Royle had particular praise for his skipper, who he replaced with 20 minutes remaining due to his lack of match fitness: "Jim was terrific. We had to make sure he did not blow a gasket."

The Town boss says there has been no more contact from Charlton regarding Darren Bent but admitted that he didn't know whether one was in the offing before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening: "We have had one bid and turned it down. I can't think what other people can do."

Wolves manager Dave Jones, a team-mate of Royle's at Everton in the 1970s, said injuries have forced him to field inexperienced players: "We have had to dig in deep and play players who are learning their trade.

"When you have no competition in your football club, sometimes when you want to change it you can't and we have not been able to. The break [until the next fixture] will be a big plus for us."

Jones had little argument regarding Town's second half penalty, awarded when Joleon Lescott fouled Shefki Kuqi.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls