Mick McCarthy’s players are ready for another Championship battle when they visit Cardiff City Stadium this evening.
His Ipswich Town team won 2-1 at Burton Albion last time out and are in South Wales aiming to build on that success.
McCarthy’s men have fought back from behind to win away matches at Barnsley, Millwall and Burton this season and he says: “We needed a win after three straight defeats.
“For all their possession, pressure and crossing into the box, I had a team who kept it out of our net.
“And when it turned around we played much better and had the pressure and the ball in their box and scored two good goals. That’s not luck. That’s a team who have good fighting spirit.
“That is a vitally important factor, an ingredient a lot of good teams who have spent a lot of money would pay a lot for. I really appreciate my lads have those qualities and respect it.
“We’re not going to be the best footballing team in the league, but if we continue to make sure we do all those things then who knows where it will take us.
“All I ever ask is that the players give me everything. If that changes then the manager is in trouble. That’s never happened in any job I’ve been in though and I don’t anticipate it will happen here.”
Ipswich, who are 10th in the Championship, look certain to be without former Bluebirds players Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi.
Huws has recovered from an Achilles injury and played 90 minutes for the Ipswich development team on Monday, which effectively rules him out of the squad at Cardiff. Adeyemi is still some way from fitness.
The third-placed Bluebirds could go top of the Championship with a win if top two Sheffield United and Wolves slip up. United are at Queens Park Rangers, while Wolves travel to Norwich City.
City manager Neil Warnock may recall playmaker Lee Tomlin to his starting line-up and that would mean switching to a back four with two defensive midfield players adding an extra layer of protection.
Tomlin would be given freedom to roam and create chances for the Bluebirds, who are likely to be without Kenneth Zohore and Aaron Gunnarsson.
Both are close to fitness, but the fixture against Ipswich may be a little too early for either to start. Full-back Joe Bennett will have a late fitness test before a final decision is made on whether he is able to play.
Cardiff City, probable: Etheridge, Morrison, Bamba, Peltier, Bryson, Ralls, Bennett, Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Ward, Hoilett. Subs: Manga, Feeney, Paterson, Bogle, Halford, Damour, Murphy.
